Report, result, goals and highlights as hosts beat Barca in Copa del Rey

Atletico Madrid scored four first-half goals to dismantle Barcelona and hand visiting manager Hansi Flick his first ever Copa del Rey defeat as Diego Simeone's side took a commanding lead into the semi-final at the Metropolitano Stadium.

A HORRIFIC own goal 🤯

Atlético Madrid take an early lead after a HUGE mistake from Joan García 😬 pic.twitter.com/aEBpuFYDay

– ITV Football (@itvfootball) February 12, 2026

In a stunning end to Barca's run of six wins in all competitions, visiting goalkeeper Joan Garcia miscontrolled a routine back pass from Eric Garcia to score an own goal in the sixth minute before Antoine Griezmann struck in the 14th minute from Nahuel Molina's pass.

Barcelona is experiencing a NIGHTMARE 😳

Antoine Griezmann finishes a well-worked move to make it 2-0 against Atlético Madrid ⚽️⚽️ pic.twitter.com/4DYdVUF7vU

– ITV Football (@itvfootball) February 12, 2026

Fermin Lopez fired against the crossbar for the La Liga leaders, who then needed Jules Kounde to clear Julian Alvarez's line, only for Ademola Lookman to continue his impressive start to his Atleti career by sweeping in to make it 3-0 after 33 minutes.

Ademola Lookman makes THREE 🔴⚪️

Atlético Madrid dismantle Barcelona 🤯 pic.twitter.com/2ouSjFJh49

– ITV Football (@itvfootball) February 12, 2026

Lookman pushed Julian Alvarez to shoot for the fourth in injury time before the break, with Garcia compounding Barcelona's misery by receiving a consecutive red card five minutes from time for a challenge on Alex Baena.

Julián Alvarez's goal drought ends and Atlético Madrid leads 4-0 👊

Barcelona NIGHTMATE continues… 😬 pic.twitter.com/H4NhCWmJZO

– ITV Football (@itvfootball) February 12, 2026

You can also see the statistics of the Copa del Rey match. here.

Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona: can Barça recover from a beating?

Barcelona fell behind 2-0 in the first leg 4-4 ​​when these teams met in the Copa del Rey final last season, winning the second leg 1-0 before beating Real Madrid in the final.

Simeone LOVES it 😆

Atlético Madrid coach runs to the touchline after Lookman makes it 3-0 against Barcelona 👀 pic.twitter.com/nRiEXOOPFs

– ITV Football (@itvfootball) February 12, 2026

Their hopes of a considerably bigger comeback appear slim after manager Hansi Flick's first defeat in the competition, with his opposite number Diego Simeone frequently charging along the touchline to celebrate a sensational performance from his side.

Fermin Lopez sent a shot against the crossbar for Barcelona after Atleti's second goal and Pau Cubarsi thought he had responded with a neat finish after the break, only for Robert Lewandowski – replaced by midfielder Marc Casado in the 37th minute – to be ruled offside.

Barcelona pull one back thanks to Pau Cubarsí ⚽️

Or do they… 👀 pic.twitter.com/Ni6zBgKSTv

– ITV Football (@itvfootball) February 12, 2026

The video assistant referee's check to disallow the goal lasted a ridiculous enough time for the teams to start warming up again as their wait continued, but there were fewer doubts about the nature of Atleti's victory as the hosts raced to an exhilarating victory that will become famous if they reach a final against Real Sociedad or Athletic Club.

Tensions rose after Garcia's dismissal, with Simeone on the pitch as a skirmish broke out between several players.

After an 8-minute VAR check, Barcelona sees their goal scored ❌

Is this the longest review of Spanish football? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/uAKcjRghyb

– ITV Football (@itvfootball) February 12, 2026

Atletico Madrid confirmed their starting line-up against Barcelona

Marc Pubill returned for Atleti after missing their 1-0 home defeat to Betis in La Liga on Sunday due to illness.

The visitors made four changes, including Juan Musso starting in goal in place of Jan Oblak. Nahuel Molina joined Pubill in defense, with Antoine Griezmann in attack.

José Maria Gimenez, Thiago Almada and Rodri Mendoza joined the bench. Johnny Cardoso was out with a muscle injury and Pablo had a thigh problem.

Atletico Madrid starting lineup: Juan Musso, Nahuel Molina, Marc Pubill, David Hancko, Matteo Ruggeri, Giuliano Simeone, Marcos Llorente, Koke, Ademola Lookman, Antoine Griezmann, Julian Alvarez

Athlete substitutes: Salvi Esquivel, José Maria Gimenez, Rodrigo Mendoza, Alexander Sorloth, Alex Baena, Thiago Almada, Jan Oblak, Clément Lenglet, Obed Vargas, Nico Gonzalez, Robin Le Normand

Barcelona confirmed their starting team against Atletico Madrid

Midfielder Frenkie de Jong was doubtful with a groin problem but captained Barca, who made two changes from their 3-0 home win over Mallorca on Saturday.

England striker Marcus Rashford suffered a knee problem and was replaced by Ferran Torres, while De Jong – who was an unused substitute – replaced Robert Lewandowski, who was on the bench.

Defender Andreas Christensen and striker Raphinha were injured, as were midfielders Gavi and Pedri.

Barcelona starting lineup: Joan Garcia, Jules Kounde, Pau Cubarsi, Eric Garcia, Alejandro Balde, Marc Casado, Frenkie de Jong, Fermin Lopez, Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres, Dani Olmo

Barça substitutes: Wojciech Szczesny, Joao Cancelo, Ronald Araujo, Robert Lewandowski, Gerard Martin, Roony Bardghji, Marc Bernal, Jofre Torrents, Diego Kochen, Juan Hernández, Tomas Marques

Atlético Madrid vs Barcelona Statistics

• Barca have won the Copa del Rey more times than anyone else (32 to Athletic Club's 24 and Real Madrid's 20) and have reached the final the most times (43 to Real Madrid's 41).
• In 14 of their 20 previous meetings with Spanish teams, they had scored at least three goals each time.
• A 1-0 home defeat against Leganes on December 15, 2024 remains the last time Barcelona failed to score against a Spanish club
• Third in La Liga, Atleti arrives on a series of one victory in four matches in all competitions (1 draw, 2 defeats)
• They are the fourth most successful team in Copa del Rey history, winning the competition 10 times.
• Atleti have failed to qualify for the final since their triumph in 2012/13, although two of their four semi-final appearances have come in the last two seasons.
• In that thrilling semi-final last season, Atleti led 2-0 after six minutes in their first leg at Barca before falling behind 4-2 and ultimately salvaging a 4-4 draw thanks to Alexander Sorloth's 93rd-minute equalizer.
• Ferran Torres scored the only goal of the second leg as Barca beat Real Madrid 3-2 after extra time in the final.
• Since their first meeting in the 1924/25 competition, the teams have faced each other in 25 knockout matches.
• Barcelona have progressed 15 times to Atleti's 10
• In each of the last four Copa meetings (2009, 2015, 2017 and 2025), Barça progressed and won the trophy.

What's next for these teams? Atlético Madrid, Barcelona next matches

Atleti visits relegation-threatened Rayo Vallecano La Liga Sunday (3:15 p.m.), one day before Barça travels to Girona (8:00 p.m.).

The second leg of the semi-final will take place on March 3 (8:00 p.m.). Sociedad won 1-0 at Athletic Club in the first match of the quarter-finals on Wednesday, with these teams meeting again on March 4 (8:00 p.m.).