Ademola Lookman continues to dominate the Copa del Rey, turning the competition into his personal showcase with another dazzling performance for Atletico Madrid against Barcelona.
The Super Eagles star tormented Barcelona throughout the encounter on Thursday, netting a goal, setting up another, and forcing an own goal as Atletico cruised to a stunning 4–0 victory in the semifinal first leg.
Atlético Madrid produced a stunning first-half display to overwhelm Barcelona in a historic Copa del Rey clash. Giuliano Simeone forced an early save from Joan García, but the goalkeeper gifted Atlético the opener just six minutes in, misjudging a back pass from Eric García that trickled over the line.
Although Barcelona controlled possession for stretches, Atlético proved far more clinical. Antoine Griezmann extended the advantage within 15 minutes, calmly slotting home a low finish after finding space inside the area.
Barcelona responded with intent, as Fermín López struck the woodwork and Jules Koundé cleared Julián Alvarez’s effort off the line. Still, Atlético remained incisive on the break, with Ademola Lookman finishing off a swift counterattack to add a third.
In stoppage time, Alvarez drilled in a powerful strike from the edge of the box to make it 4–0—marking only the second occasion since the 2004/05 season that Barcelona had conceded four goals before half-time.
After the interval, Juan Musso produced a fine save to deny Fermín, while Pau Cubarsí saw a goal disallowed for offside following a lengthy VAR review. Barcelona’s frustrations deepened when Eric García was shown a red card. Atlético eventually took their foot off the gas but comfortably secured their first Copa del Rey victory over Barcelona in nine encounters, inflicting Hansi Flick’s maiden defeat in the competition.