Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid 4-4: 8 goal thriller in the Copa Del Rey
Barcelona and Atlético Madrid played out a thrilling 4-4 draw in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final on Tuesday, with Alexander Sørloth scoring deep into stoppage time to keep the tie level.
Julian Alvarez stunned the hosts inside the opening minute, converting at the back post before former Barcelona forward Antoine Griezmann doubled Atlético's lead within six minutes.
Barcelona responded swiftly, with Pedri finishing off Jules Koundé's cutback before Pau Cubarsí's header from a Raphinha corner levelled the score inside 19 minutes. Another header from Iñigo Martínez put the hosts ahead before half-time, completing the turnaround.
Robert Lewandowski extended Barcelona's lead in the second half, finishing from close range after a run by Lamine Yamal.
However, Atlético Madrid fought back, with Marcos Llorente reducing the deficit before Sørloth converted a Samuel Lino assist in the third minute of added time.
The result leaves the semi-final finely poised ahead of the second leg on 2nd April, emanating from the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
16 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Spain target Nations League defence
Lamine Yamal is a key player for Spain in the Nations League after helping them to win the Euros in 2024. Photo: AFP/File Spain are aiming to become the first side to defend the Nations League trophy, with Luis de la Fuente's side going from strength to strength on the international stage ahead of next year's World Cup. The coach enjoys recalling La Roja's triumph at the 2023 tournament, which was an early sign that a young Spain side were heading back to the top. It proved the springboard to Euro 2024 glory and De la Fuente wants to continue Spain's resurgence by retaining it this summer in Germany. It would bode well ahead of the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada next summer where Spain will be among the favourites. They face France in the Nations League semi-finals in Stuttgart before a potential final against Germany or Portugal. "We attach enormous importance to it – it's almost more difficult than a European Championship, and we want to be the first team to win it twice," De la Fuente told reporters last week. "We want to continue competing at the highest level with these teams." After European Championship wins in 2008 and 2012, sandwiching their World Cup 2010 triumph in South Africa, the Spanish national team slumped. Poor outings at the Russia and Qatar World Cups started to fade from memory, though, as De la Fuente's side beat Italy and Croatia to win the Nations League. It helped him on a personal level too, with many doubting his credentials and blaming him for an embarrassing defeat by Scotland in Euro 2024 qualifying. The Scots beat De la Fuente's Spain in March 2023 in what was their last competitive defeat, 23 matches ago. Spain beat Italy, Germany and France on the way to the Euro 2024 final, where they got the better of England to claim their first major trophy for 12 years. The worrying thing for the rest of the world is that De la Fuente's Spain team remains hungry, with many players yet to reach their peak. The side is led by Barcelona's teenage winger Lamine Yamal, who turned 17 on the eve of the Euro final, and on the opposite flank Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams, 22, also has his best years ahead of him. Barcelona midfield maestro Pedri, 22 as well, pulls the strings, while there are emerging talents in other areas including Porto striker Samu Aghehowa and new Real Madrid signing Dean Huijsen. Isco's return Despite a focus on younger players, De la Fuente showed he is not stubborn by turning to Real Betis midfielder Isco. After a superb season in which the former Real Madrid playmaker took the Andalusians to the Conference League final, the 33-year-old finally got the call he craved. Some said De la Fuente should have given Isco a chance last summer but the coach was proven right as his team went on to win the Euros. "He's going to add a lot – if we had any doubts, he wouldn't have been here," said De la Fuente. "He could have been at the Euros, or not, but those who had to be there, were there." Isco's presence gives Spain even more depth in a midfield packed with quality, and one which is still without Manchester City's Rodri Hernandez who has yet to return to action after missing most of the season injured. "In Spain, we are privileged to have many very good footballers," De la Fuente said during the Euros. "I think they are the best players in the world for many reasons." In almost every position the coach is blessed with multiple strong options, with the team perhaps only short of one elite striker – although it has not held them back. Aghehowa, 21, could develop into that player, although De la Fuente ran through all of his possible options there, including veteran Alvaro Morata, Dani Olmo as a false nine, or Mikel Oyarzabal, who scored the winner against England. "This is a team, and in that team, everyone contributes their bit to make a stronger, more solid group," said De la Fuente. "Samu is fantastic, Alvaro, Mikel, Dani... we can play in many ways with different players and that is exactly what our strength is."
Express Tribune
28-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Teenage Barca star Yamal signs new contract to 2031
Barcelona's Spanish forward Lamine Yamal has penned a new deal with the Catalan giants after a superb season. Photo: AFP Barcelona's teenage star Lamine Yamal signed a new contract until 2031 with the Catalan giants on Tuesday after a spectacular season. The 17-year-old winger is already one of the club's key players and helped them land a domestic treble of La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup. "Barcelona and Lamine Yamal have reached a deal to extend his contract to June 30, 2031," said the Catalan club in a statement. "Lamine Yamal's renewal is a demonstration of the solidity of Barca's project. His emergence on to the world football scene is like few others, and it began with his debut on April 29, 2023, still at the age of 15." Spanish media reported the new deal makes him one of Barcelona's best paid players. After triumphing at Euro 2024 with Spain last summer, Yamal scored 18 goals and provided 25 assists in 55 matches across all competitions during a sensational campaign. Operating on the right flank and a prodigious dribbler, Yamal's skill and speed contributed greatly to Barca netting 102 league goals this season as they reclaimed the crown from rivals Real Madrid. Yamal, who came through the club's feted La Masia youth academy and is often compared to all-time Barcelona great Lionel Messi, made his debut in 2023 under Xavi Hernandez at just 15. By the end of the 2023-24 campaign he had emerged as the team's main attacking weapon, the bright spot in a poor campaign where Barca finished empty-handed. Following his exploits at the Euros, Yamal fitted Flick's attacking style to perfection and adding more consistency, showed he has become one of the world's best players. Yamal put in two brilliant Champions League semi-final performances against Inter Milan but his team were edged 7-6 on aggregate and must wait to end their European drought. "I will keep my promise and I will bring (the Champions League trophy) to Barcelona, we will not stop until we get it," pledged Yamal after the game. Despite his youth the winger has already played over 100 times for Barcelona. Yamal, who turns 18 in July, follows team-mate Raphinha and coach Flick in signing contact extensions in the last few days. Spanish media report his contract includes various bonuses for different achievements, including winning the Ballon d'Or, as well as a significant pay rise. Yamal is a candidate to win the trophy for the world's best player this year.
Business Recorder
28-05-2025
- Business Recorder
Old Friends, New Goals: Messi joins Suarez in Uruguayan club venture
From their glory days at Barcelona to reuniting at Inter Miami, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez have now brought their enduring partnership into a new chapter, co-founding Deportivo LSM, a club set to compete in professional Uruguayan football. Formerly known as Deportivo LS, the club was founded by Suarez in 2018 in Uruguay's Ciudad de la Costa with a focus on developing local talent and giving back to the community through job opportunities and social initiatives. On Tuesday, Suarez announced the rebranding of his club, adding an 'M' in honour of the Argentine captain, who has officially joined the project as a partner. The team are now set to take their next step by entering professional competition in the Uruguayan fourth division. 'Deportivo LS, a family project, is a family dream that started in 2018. We have grown a lot with more than three thousand members and infrastructure,' Suarez said in a video on his Instagram account. More to life than football, says Klopp after Liverpool parade crash 'That's why I made the decision for Deportivo LS to be part of the AUF (Uruguayan FA) structure, both at youth and professional level. 'This project is the perfect place to continue sharing our vision of football. So I invited my friend to join Deportivo LSM's professional project,' added the 38-year-old striker, referring to Messi. According to media reports, the South American pair will jointly oversee operations while appointing a sports manager with experience in the local football scene. 'I would like to thank Luis for giving me this opportunity and share this project that he has been working on for many years and which has grown so much,' the 37-year-old Messi said. 'I hope to contribute as much as I can to continue growing and to be here alongside you.' Uruguay's top scorer Suarez became Messi's close partner on the pitch at Barcelona from 2014 to 2020, forming one of the most prolific attacking duos in modern football. In six seasons, they won 13 major titles together including the Champions League, four LaLiga crowns and four Copa del Rey trophies while also forging a strong personal friendship off the pitch. Their bond continued in 2023 when Suarez joined Messi at Inter Miami. Alongside former Barca teammates Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, the pair led the MLS club to the 2024 Supporters' Shield.
