Super Eagles winger Ademola Lookman produced another dazzling display in Spain as Atlético Madrid stormed to a commanding 4–0 win over Barcelona in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final, Soccernet.ng reports.
Just as he had done in the quarter-final, Lookman was central to everything good about Atlético’s attacking play, scoring once and setting up another as Diego Simeone’s side tore apart the holders with ruthless efficiency.
The hosts were gifted the perfect start inside seven minutes when Eric Garcia, under little pressure, rolled a back pass beyond his own goalkeeper Joan Garcia and into the net. The early setback visibly unsettled Barcelona, and Atlético sensed weakness.
That feeling was confirmed in the 14th minute. A clever through ball from Nahuel Molina released Antoine Griezmann, who surged forward before guiding a precise finish into the bottom corner to double the lead.
Atlético refused to slow the tempo. After seeing one effort cleared off the line and missing another promising opening, their pressure finally told again in the 33rd minute, and it was Lookman who delivered the killer touch.
A sweeping team move down the right ended with Julián Álvarez slipping the ball across goal, where Lookman arrived to smash an unstoppable first-time shot past the goalkeeper and make it 3–0, sending the home crowd into raptures.
Moments before half-time, the Nigerian turned creator. Bursting into space, he teed up Julián Álvarez, whose powerful strike completed a devastating first-half performance.
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Barcelona frustrations mount as Atlético cruise through second half
The tempo dropped after the break, with Atlético content to control proceedings and protect their commanding advantage.
Barcelona briefly thought they had pulled one back in the 51st minute, but a lengthy VAR review ruled the effort out, compounding the visitors’ frustration.
Simeone soon rang the changes, withdrawing Lookman, Griezmann and Álvarez just after the hour mark, yet Atlético’s grip on the match never loosened. The hosts remained compact, disciplined and composed, limiting Barcelona to half-chances.
The night worsened for the Catalans late on when Eric Garcia was sent off in the 85th minute for a foul on Alex Baena, bringing a miserable evening to a fittingly sour conclusion.
With such a commanding first-leg cushion, Simeone’s men now head into the return fixture full of confidence, while Hansi Flick faces a monumental task to revive Barcelona’s hopes.
