Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman was at the heart of Atlético Madrid’s stunning 4–0 victory over Barcelona in the first leg of the 2026 Copa del Rey semifinal at the Metropolitano Stadium. Lookman scored and provided an assist in a performance that gives Atlético a commanding advantage heading into the return leg.
The win puts Diego Simeone’s side firmly in control of the tie, with Barcelona facing a tough task to overturn the deficit in the second leg at Spotify Camp Nou next month.
Atlético Madrid raced into a 4–0 lead during a remarkable first half. The scoring began early when Barcelona defender Eric García’s back pass was miscontrolled by his goalkeeper, resulting in an own goal.
Antoine Griezmann doubled the advantage on 14 minutes with a composed finish inside the box. Lookman then got on the scoresheet in the 33rd minute, converting a slick move after Julian Álvarez played him in.
Just before halftime, Lookman turned provider, setting up Álvarez with a precise pass to extend the lead to 4–0 and effectively all but seal the tie.
Barcelona regrouped in the second half but were unable to penetrate Atlético’s defence. A goal by Pau Cubarsí was ruled out for offside after a lengthy VAR check, and later in the game, Eric García was sent off following a VAR-reviewed incident.
The emphatic first-leg result gives Atlético a substantial cushion ahead of the return fixture on March 3, with the Spanish Cup final opportunity within sight for Lookman and his teammates.
Editorial
Ademola Lookman’s performance against Barcelona was a standout moment in his season and a powerful statement about his adaptation to life at Atlético Madrid. Scoring and assisting in a Copa del Rey semifinal especially against one of Spain’s elite clubs highlights his influence and finishing prowess.
For Nigerian fans, seeing a compatriot shine on one of Europe’s biggest stages underscores the growing impact of Nigerian forwards abroad. Atlético’s aggressive approach, blending direct counter attacks with clinical finishing, dissected Barcelona’s usually sturdy defence.
Lookman’s role in both scoring and creating emphasised his tactical awareness and ability to make decisive contributions in crucial matches. This result also places immense pressure on Barcelona, whose stars were unable to withstand Atlético’s early intensity. Looking ahead to the second leg, the task for Barcelona will be to outperform their hosts a challenge made significantly harder after such a dominant first leg from Atlético Madrid.
Did You Know?
- Ademola Lookman scored and assisted in Atlético Madrid’s 4–0 win over Barcelona in the Copa del Rey semifinal first leg.
- The other goals in the match came from Antoine Griezmann and Julián Álvarez.
- The fixture was played at the Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid on February 12, 2026.
- A goal by Barcelona was disallowed by VAR in the second half for offside.
- The return leg of the semifinal is scheduled for March 3 at Spotify Camp Nou.
