Atlético Madrid earned a 4-0 win over Barcelona in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals, with the Argentine players playing a central role in the result.
The scoring opened early after an own goal by Eric García in the sixth minute. From there, Atlético took control, and the Argentine presence began to grow in influence. Nahuel Molina was directly involved in the second goal, providing the assist for Antoine Griezmann in the 14th minute after a well-worked team move down the right flank.
Julián Álvarez was active from the start. In the 33rd minute, he contributed with an assist, setting up Ademola Lookman to make it 3-0. Álvarez showed awareness inside the box and delivered a precise pass that allowed his teammate to finish comfortably.
Just before halftime, the Argentine forward ended his scoring drought in 2026. After receiving a pass from Lookman outside the area, Álvarez struck a powerful shot that beat the goalkeeper and made it 4-0. The goal marked his first of the calendar year and capped a strong individual performance that included both a goal and an assist.
Giuliano Simeone was also involved throughout the first half, making runs in behind and helping stretch Barcelona’s defensive line. His movement created space and contributed to Atlético’s attacking rhythm during the opening stages.
In goal, Juan Musso delivered a solid performance. Although Barcelona attempted to respond in the second half, Musso made key saves to preserve the clean sheet. A goal by Barcelona was ruled out after a lengthy review for offside, helping Atlético maintain their advantage.
Thiago Almada entered the match in the 73rd minute, adding fresh energy in midfield as Atlético managed the final stages of the game.
With the 4-0 win, Atlético Madrid take a significant advantage into the second leg, scheduled for March 3 at Camp Nou. The Argentine players were decisive in the first meeting, with Álvarez leading the way in one of the team’s most complete performances of the season.
