Julián Álvarez sparks Atlético Madrid vs Barcelona rout

Atlético Madrid vs Barcelona — Julián Álvarez found his best form at the perfect moment, scoring twice and playing a key role as Atlético de Madrid tore apart Barcelona in a Copa del Rey meeting. The Argentine — nicknamed La Araña (The Spider) — was lively from the start, pressing high and helping force an early freak goal after a blooper between Eric García and Joan García that opened the scoring at 6 minutes.

By the 14th minute the visitors were in real trouble. A quick chain of play saw Musso intercept a loose ball and send a long pass into the attacking third. Ademola Lookman collected it, moved play inside, and Álvarez switched the ball out to Nahuel Molina. Molina’s delivery found Antoine Griezmann, who made it 2-0. Álvarez’s high work rate and smart movement were central to the move.

How the first half unraveled for Barcelona

Atlético kept piling on pressure. Griezmann flicked a long ball to Simeone on the right, who pulled it back into the middle for Álvarez. With a subtle touch the striker set up Lookman to make it 3-0 in the 33rd minute. And just before halftime, Lookman fed Álvarez on the edge of the box — the striker unleashed a rocket into the top corner to complete his comeback goal and put Atlético 4-0 up at the break.

• 6′ — Own-goal-style error by Barcelona after high press.
• 14′ — Griezmann finishes after build-up involving Musso, Lookman, Álvarez and Molina (2-0).
• 33′ — Álvarez sets up Lookman for the third.
• First-half stoppage — Álvarez scores a thunderous strike from the edge of the box (4-0).

Álvarez left the game in the 68th minute, replaced by Sorloth, having restored his confidence just when Atlético needed it most.

Álvarez ends a long drought and Atlético make history

The goal was massive for Álvarez personally — it ended a 64-day scoring drought. His previous goal had come in a 3-2 win against PSV in the Champions League on December 9. The brace also underlined his role in a team that has been inconsistent but capable of explosive nights.

Atlético’s big first-half lead did more than embarrass Barcelona: it matched a rare statistical mark. Opta noted that Barcelona had conceded four goals by halftime for only the second time since at least the 2004/05 season — the only other instance was that 2-8 Champions League loss to Bayern Munich in August 2020.

A statement in the Copa del Rey tie

Diego Simeone’s side produced a dominant first leg in the Copa del Rey clash with Hansi Flick’s Barcelona. The Rojiblancos’ early intensity, Álvarez’s movement and clinical finishing left the visitors stunned and headed home with a huge deficit to overturn.

Atlético now carry momentum from a big night that put them in position to control the tie; Barcelona must regroup after a painful first half they’ll want to forget.

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