Clone of MATCH REPORT | Barça and Atlético draw in thriller with football the real winner (4-4)

Football at its very best. Goals, chances, dizzying pace, mazy dribbles, Barça's comeback, Atlético de Madrid's rock solid resistance, an agonising stoppage time equaliser for the home crowd to endure and a sporting spectacle without equal. Pure Copa del Rey magic between two of the best teams in the world who, after battling for 90 intense minutes, left the tie to be settled in the second leg at the Metropolitano, after this first leg ended in an unforgettable 4-4 draw.

The game had hardly even got started and some of the spectators had not even taken their seats yet in the stadium when Atlético were already leading 0-2. In just five minutes, Simeone's men had turned the outlook of the match on its head with goals from Julián Alvarez, who was imperial from the first minute to the last, and Antoine Griezmann. It was a dream scenario for Simeone's side, who then saw Barça unleash a storm of incisive, fast-paced attacking  football for the next 30 minutes to end the first half 3-2 ahead.

The home team had Lamine Yamal as their star. The European champion from the summer with Spain offered a recital of his full repertoire of dribbles, assists and perfect decision making. He was the creator of the first goal, which Pedri, another of those players who should be enjoyed every time he steps on the pitch, finished off. From Lamine Yamal’s turn to mesmerize, to Raphinha’s, the Brazilian created two goals from corners that ended up being finished off by the two centre-backs; first Pau Cubarsí and then Iñigo Martínez on the verge of half-time. 

It seemed that the football seen in the first half would and could not be matched after the break, but the script was, as ever, inexplicable and there was still a climax to remember to come. Once again, Lamine Yamal, a demon on the pitch, was the brains behind the fourth goal for the home team, creating for Lewandowski to push into the open net. Then, just as it seemed that Atlético seemed to be down on the canvas and out for the count, Simeone's men rose once again, thanks first to Marcos Llorente and then to Sorloth in stoppage time, in what was a finish similar to the league match between the two teams.

An unforgettable draw in a match that no one will ever forget, a memorable duel between Barça and Atlético in a thrilling Copa del Rey MAPFRE semi-final and the best of all: there is still another ninety minute encounter to enjoy to decide which of the two will advance to the final. In short, the magic of cup football.

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