Lookman and Alvarez Dismantle Barca in Madrid Massacre.

MADRID — Atletico Madrid delivered a masterclass in predatory football on Thursday night, crushing Copa del Rey holders Barcelona 4-0 in a ruthless first-half display. In a match that defied the usual cagey nature of semifinal first legs, Diego Simeone’s men effectively settled the tie within forty-five minutes. A catastrophic goalkeeping blunder set the stage, allowing the Rojiblancos to exploit Barcelona’s high defensive line with surgical precision. Consequently, the visitors now face a near-impossible mountain to climb in the return leg at the Camp Nou on March 3.

The carnage began in the sixth minute through a bizarre lapse in concentration by Barcelona custodian Joan Garcia. A routine backpass from Eric Garcia bobbled across the Metropolitano turf, slipping under the keeper’s boot and into the net. This freak opener shattered Barcelona’s early composure, paving the way for Antoine Griezmann to double the lead in the fourteenth minute. Nigerian international Ademola Lookman, continuing his sensational form, then added a third in the thirty-third minute after a lightning counter-attack. Furthermore, Julian Alvarez ended a three-month goal drought with a thunderous fourth strike just before the interval.

Barcelona’s attempts to salvage the evening were repeatedly thwarted by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) and their own lack of discipline. Pau Cubarsi thought he had secured a vital lifeline early in the second half, but the goal was chalked off for offside. The subsequent six-minute review sucked the remaining momentum out of Hansi Flick’s shell-shocked squad. In a related development, defender Eric Garcia received a straight red card late in the game for a professional foul. This dismissal compounded the Catalans’ misery, leaving them a man down as they struggled to stem the crimson tide.

Ultimately, the 4-0 scoreline reflects a tactical victory for Simeone’s transition-heavy system over Flick’s vulnerable high line. Ademola Lookman, arguably the signing of the season, proved his weight in gold with a goal and a primary assist. Meanwhile, the Atletico faithful celebrated a historic night that places them on the cusp of an April final in Seville. For the Barcelona board, this result raises uncomfortable questions about the squad’s defensive fragility under intense pressure. Only a miracle of “Remontada” proportions can save their domestic cup campaign from an ignominious exit.