The Metropolitano lays down the law (4–0)

The Copa del Rey Mapfre had one of those electric nights in store—one that will live long in the memory of the home fans.

Knowing their chances hinged on being dominant at home, Atlético stormed onto the Metropolitano pitch as if it were already the final. After falling at this stage last season to the same opponent, Diego Simeone’s side showed just how seriously they’re taking this competition.

They nearly struck inside three minutes when Giuliano went clean through but couldn’t convert. Four minutes later, misfortune struck Barça: a mix-up between Eric García and goalkeeper Joan García ended with the defender’s back pass slipping past his own keeper for 1–0.

The goal ignited the stadium. Before the 15-minute mark, Griezmann haunted his former club, firing a low strike across goal to double the lead. Barcelona tried to respond, but Fermín’s half-turn effort crashed off the post.

Atlético kept pressing. Joan García denied Griezmann in the 21st minute, and seconds later Jules Koundé cleared Julián Álvarez’s effort off the line. As Barça pushed higher, Atlético delivered a textbook counterattack—ten seconds, seven passes, five players—finished by Lookman to make it 3–0.

There was still time for more before the break. Musso denied Fermín in a one-on-one on 43 minutes, but in stoppage time Julián Álvarez ended his goal drought—over two months without scoring—with a fine strike from the edge of the box. At 4–0, the referee blew for halftime.

After the restart, Barça stepped forward. Musso again stood firm, and although Pau Cubarsí found the net in the 52nd minute, the goal was ruled out for a razor-thin offside.

A wave of substitutions slowed the tempo, but Atlético’s defensive wall—solid throughout—gave the visitors little hope. In the 85th minute, Eric García was sent off after a heavy challenge on Álex Baena.

Sørloth nearly added a fifth in stoppage time, but Koundé did just enough to deny him.

No time for anything else—the Metropolitano had spoken. Atlético head to the second leg with a commanding advantage.

The tie, which will decide the first finalist of the Copa del Rey ahead of April’s showpiece in Seville, will be settled on Tuesday, March 3, at Barcelona’s home ground.