Joan Garcia’s early blunder gifted Atletico Madrid a sixth-minute lead against Barcelona as the La Liga sides met at the Metropolitano in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final on Thursday.
Goalkeeper Garcia allowed Eric Garcia’s routine backpass to roll under his foot, narrowly crossing the line for an embarrassing own goal.
A HORRIFIC own goal 🤯
Atlético Madrid take an early lead after a HUGE error from Joan García 😬 pic.twitter.com/aEBpuFYDay
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) February 12, 2026
Shortly beforehand, Garcia brilliantly denied Giuliano Simeone in a one-on-one by turning the forward’s shot behind after Antoine Griezmann had slipped him through on goal.
But Barca’s predicament worsened when an incisive Atleti move culminated in Nahuel Molina feeding Griezmann inside the box, the forward finding the far corner of the net with a composed low finish after 14 minutes.
You can also follow live text updates from the Copa del Rey match here.
Barcelona are having a NIGHTMARE 😳
Antoine Griezmann finishes off a well-worked move to make it 2-0 to Atlético Madrid ⚽️⚽️ pic.twitter.com/4DYdVUF7vU
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) February 12, 2026
Table of Contents
Atleti vs Barca: Why early goals might not matter
Despite their painful start to the tie, Barcelona might not be unduly concerned if last season’s semi-final between the teams in the competition is any marker.
On that occasion, Julian Alvarez scored in the first minute of the first leg at Barcelona before Griezmann made the scoreline 2-0 after six minutes.
Barcelona then scored four times without reply, only for late goals by Marcos Llorente and – during added time – Alexander Sorloth to ensure the blockbuster finished 4-4.
Hansi Flick’s side won the second leg 1-0 through Ferran Torres’ winner and beat Real Madrid 3-2 after extra time in the final.
Atletico Madrid confirmed starting team vs Barcelona
Marc Pubill returned for Atleti after missing their 1-0 home defeat to Betis in La Liga on Sunday through illness.
The visitors made four changes, including Juan Musso starting in goal in place of Jan Oblak. Nahuel Molina joined Pubill in defence, with Antoine Griezmann in attack.
Jose Maria Gimenez, Thiago Almada and Rodri Mendoza moved to the bench. Johnny Cardoso was out with a muscle injury and Pablo had a thigh problem.
Atletico Madrid starting XI: Juan Musso, Nahuel Molina, Marc Pubill, David Hancko, Matteo Ruggeri, Giuliano Simeone, Marcos Llorente, Koke, Ademola Lookman, Antoine Griezmann, Julian Alvarez
Atleti substitutes: Salvi Esquivel, Jose Maria Gimenez, Rodrigo Mendoza, Alexander Sorloth, Alex Baena, Thiago Almada, Jan Oblak, Clement Lenglet, Obed Vargas, Nico Gonzalez, Robin Le Normand
Barcelona confirmed starting team vs Atletico Madrid
Midfielder Frenkie de Jong had been a doubt 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 had a knee issue and was replaced by Ferran Torres, while De Jong – who was an unused substitute – came in for Robert Lewandowski, who was on the bench.
Defender Andreas Christensen and forward Raphinha were out injured, as were midfielders Gavi and Pedri.
Barcelona starting XI: Joan Garcia, Jules Kounde, Pau Cubarsi, Eric Garcia, Alejandro Balde, Marc Casado, Frenkie de Jong, Fermin Lopez, Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres, Dani Olmo
Barca substitutes: Wojciech Szczesny, Joao Cancelo, Ronald Araujo, Robert Lewandowski, Gerard Martin, Roony Bardghji, Marc Bernal, Jofre Torrents, Diego Kochen, Juan Hernandez, Tomas Marques
How to watch Atleti vs Barcelona: Live online stream, TV channel
Kick-off on Thursday was at 20:00 GMT (15:00 ET / 12:00 PT), with live coverage in the UK on ITV4.
Fans can stream the action via ITV’s website and ITVX app, which is available on a vast variety of devices for viewing on the go.
Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona stats
- Barca have won the Copa del Rey more times than anyone else (32 to Athletic Club’s 24 and Real Madrid’s 20) and reached the final most often (43 to Real Madrid’s 41)
- In 14 of their last 20 meetings with Spanish sides, they have netted at least three goals
- A 1-0 home defeat by Leganes on December 15 2024 remains the last time Barcelona failed to score against a Spanish club
- Third in La Liga, Atleti’s win at Betis is their only victory in their last four matches (D1 L2)
- They are the fourth-most successful team in Copa del Rey history, winning the competition 10 times
- Atleti have failed to make the final since their 2012/13 triumph, although two of their four semi-final appearances along the way have come in the last two seasons
- In a thrilling semi-final last season, Atleti went 2-0 ahead after six minutes in their first leg at Barca before falling 4-2 behind and eventually salvaging a 4-4 draw courtesy of Alexander Sorloth’s 93rd-minute equaliser
- Ferran Torres scored the only goal in the return match, with Barca proceeding to beat Real Madrid 3-2 after extra time in the final
- Since their first meeting in the 1924/25 competition, the teams have met in 25 knockout ties
- Barcelona have progressed on 15 occasions to Atleti’s 10
- In each of the last four Copa meetings (2009, 2015, 2017 and 2025), Barca have advanced and gone on to lift the trophy
What’s next for these teams? Atletico Madrid, Barcelona fixtures
Atleti visit relegation-threatened Rayo Vallecano in La Liga on Sunday (15:15), a day before Barca travel to midtable Girona (20:00).
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: 101greatgoals.com
