Spanish football fans saw an unforgettable start of the semi -final of Copa del Rey. Barcelona and Atletico Madrid clashed into an exciting 4-4 draw, leaving the draw wide open. In the meantime, Real Madrid walked past Real Sociedad with a tight 1-0 win in a controversial game.
Barcelona entered their competition as the clear favorites with -165 chances, which means that a bet of $ 165 would return $ 100. Atletico Madrid, the Underdogs, got +380 opportunities. The first stage did not disappoint, because both teams set up an attacking spectacle that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
Real Madrid's match against Real Sociedad was tense. The chances for the competition preferred Madrid at -110, while Sociedad was at +295, with a draw priced at +265. Madrid's narrow victory gave them a crucial advantage on their way to the second stage. Both tires remain in balance and set up a must-watch showdown in April.
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Atletico Madrid and Barcelona brought a competition for the centuries to the Olympic Stadium. The visitors surprised the home crowd with a sizzling start and scored twice within six minutes. Julian Alvarez benefited from a smooth cross by Antoine Griezmann to open the score. Griezmann then doubled the lead with a well -placed finish after the error by Jules Kounde had given the possession to Atletico.
Barcelona responded with determination. Pedri Gonzalez led to the comeback and ended a well -processed movement. Pau Cubarsi leveled the score before halftime with a head of a corner. The intensity remained high when Barcelona took over control. Inigo Martinez and Robert Lewandowski thought it was just to turn the game upside down, making the hosts placed 4-2.
Atletico, however, refused to withdraw. Marcos Llorente withdrew one before Alexander Sorloth hit a stop time to save a dramatic draw. The Norwegian attacker, who has the habit of scoring at crucial moments against Barcelona, ensured that the draw stays in balance for the return bone in the Metropolitano.
“It's a terrible result if you go 4-2 and don't win,” Pedri admitted after the game. “We must be more careful in these situations.” In the meantime, Atleticos Alvarez emphasized the importance of the second stage and said: “We did our work, but there are still 90 minutes to go.”
A tense meeting in the Reale Arena saw Real Madrid a 1-0 win over Real Sociedad. The composed finish of Endrick, assisted by Jude Bellingham, turned out to be the difference when Los Blancos took a step closer to the final.
However, the competition was marred by unsavory scenes of the field. Home -fans pointed mean songs to Real Madrid defender Raul Asencio, forcing the referee to stop briefly. Vinicius JR brought the case to the referee's attention, which activated the anti-hate protocol of Spain. Stadium officials issued a message in which insulting songs were convicted, but some parts of the crowd reacted with whistles and further hunters.
Asencio, visibly affected by the situation, was replaced during the break. Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti later explained the decision and stated: “He was obstructed and because he had a yellow card, I decided to take him out.”
Despite the controversy outside the field, Real Madrid remains control of the draw. With an advantage of one goal and the second stage in the Santiago Bernabeu, they are well positioned to continue. “We condemn the insults,” said Real Sociedad captain Mikel Oyarzabal. “This is not the way to express dissatisfaction.”
Both semi-final tires are subtly ready. Atletico Madrid and Barcelona will fight for supremacy in a collision that promises goals and drama. In the meantime, Real Madrid has a slender lead, but he has to navigate at home through Real Sociedad.
The best of Spanish football is not just fighting for silverware. The winners of the Copa del Rey deserve a direct place in the UEFA Europa League Group phase of 2025–26. The champions and second place will also be eligible for the 2026 Supercopa de Espana, which adds extra effort to an intense competition.
The grand finale will take place in La Cartuja in Sevilla on April 26, 2025. With so much on the line, every moment in the second stage will be crucial. Fans who want to place bets at the upcoming competitions can view the best UK reporting offers on Sportsmole.co.uk.
With regard to outright opportunities, Real Madrid is currently preferred at +200, followed by Barcelona on +350 and Atletico Madrid on +500. The path to the final is still wide open and everything can happen in the return legs.
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