Atlético de Madrid has put "one and a half feet" in the 2025/2026 Copa del Rey final.
Thanks to a great first-half performance, the Colchoneros thrashed Barcelona 4-0 this Thursday (12th).
This was the first leg of the competition's semifinal.
Barça will need to overturn the four-goal deficit to take it to penalties on March 3rd.
Or win by at least five goals to advance in regular time.
Atleti hasn't played in a Copa del Rey final since 2012/2013, when they beat Real.
Rout already in the 1st Half đ„
Simeone's team took the lead after a back pass turned into an own goal.
The second didn't take long. And it was from Griezmann.
The third came after a lethal counterattack.
And there was still time for JuliĂĄn Ălvarez to end his drought before halftime.
The 70% possession by Hansi Flick's men was of no use.
The second half came and Barcelona tried to stay alive in the tie.
There was even a goal by CubarsĂ.
But after a long review... it was ruled offside.
Flick â who had already brought on Lewa in the first half â really tried something different.
But the absences of Raphinha and Pedri, along with Lamine Yamal's lack of inspiration, weighed heavily.
Barcelona also lost Eric GarcĂa, who was sent off in the 84th minute after a hard foul on Ălex Baena.
He had been shown a yellow, but saw a different color after VAR intervention.
Atleti almost got a fifth with Sorloth.
The other semi has the biggest rivals in the Basque Country facing off.
And Real Sociedad took the lead over Athletic by winning 1-0 at their rival's home on Wednesday (11th).
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in đ§đ· here.