“Best game of the season” – Fans react as Barcelona and Atletico Madrid play out 8-goal thriller in Copa del Rey semi-final

FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid played out a thrilling 4-4 draw at the Lluis Companys, in the first leg of the Cope del Rey semi-finals.

“Best game of the season” – Fans react as Barcelona and Atletico Madrid play out 8-goal thriller in Copa del Rey semi-final

Barcelona and Atletico Madrid played out a thrilling 4-4 draw in the Copa del Rey semi-finals. (via KXAN)

FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid could not be separated in the first-leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final encounter, as the two sides played out an eight-goal thriller. The much-heated encounter at the Estadi Lluis Companys, ended with a 4-4 scoreline.

Barcelona and Atletico Madrid were facing each other for the second time this season, with the previous match having ended 2-1 in favor of the Rojiblancos. The Catalan club had beaten Valencia in the quarter-finals to make it into the last four. Meanwhile, Atletico defeated Getafe to make their way into the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey, which they have failed to win in the last 12 years.

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At the Lluis Companys, Atletico Madrid once again made early strides. Julian Alvarez volleyed Antoine Griezmann‘s cross into the back of the net, to put the visitors ahead within 60 seconds. Things got even better, as Atleti went 2-0 up only five minutes later through Griezmann. However, Barcelona managed to regroup, and scored two quick-fire goals to come back into the match.

Pedri slammed home from 12 yards out in the 19th minute, followed by Pau Cubarsi‘s equalizer in the 21st minute. Just before the break, Inigo Martinez headed in a corner, to help the Catalan club lead 3-2. Robert Lewandowski scored a fourth goal for Barca. However, the visitors sensationally came back, through Marcos Llorente‘s 84th minute goal and Alexander Sorloth‘s last-minute strike.

Hansi Flick was left furious after the match, as he saw his side throw away a two-goal lead late on. The two sides will once again face off at the Metropolitano stadium in Madrid, in the second leg in five weeks’ time.

Fans in disbelief following Barcelona and Atletico Madrid’s wild 4-4 tie

Football fans and social media users were left stunned, as Bercalone played out a thrilling 4-4 draw against Atletico Madrid in a Copa del Rey semi-final encounter. Eight different goal-scorers registered their names on the score-sheet.

Fans Barcelona Atletico draw
Fans were left stunned, after Barcelona endured a 4-4 draw against Atletico Madrid. (via X)

Some fans labelled it as the ‘best match of the season’. A few others excitedly stated that it is the reason behind football being the greatest sport in the world. Some of them hilariously pointed to keepers Wojciech Szczesny and Juan Musso, who had an awful night in between the sticks. Meanwhile, other fans expressed hope for an El Clasico in the Copa del Rey final. Here are some of the reactions:

Moreover, ahead of the second leg, the two clubs await the results of the other semi-final encounter. Real Madrid will take on Real Sociedad at the Anoeta Stadium in San Sebastian, with the hopes of making it to the final.