Lewandowski has been ruled out of the semifinal clash after sustaining a fractured left eye socket during Barcelona’s recent 4-1 LaLiga victory over Villarreal. In an official statement on X, the club confirmed the injury.

“First-team player Robert Lewandowski picked up an injury in the recent game against Villarreal. Tests have diagnosed a fracture of the left eye socket. He will miss the game against Atletico Madrid,” Barcelona stated.

Meanwhile, the Dutch international Frenkie de Jong is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a distal biceps injury in his right leg during a training session.

“The medical tests have confirmed that the expected recovery period will be approximately five to six weeks,” the Spanish giants reported, effectively ruling the midfielder out for over a month of action.

Hansi Flick navigates growing injury list

Beyond Lewandowski and de Jong, manager Hansi Flick continues to navigate a depleted roster. Long-term absentees Gavi and Andreas Christensen remain in recovery and are unavailable for selection. Furthermore, defender Eric Garcia is suspended for the second leg following his straight red card at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.

However, it is not entirely bleak for the Catalan giants. Flick will be able to lean on Pedri and Marcus Rashford, both of whom have successfully returned from recent injuries and featured in the win over Villarreal.

Their availability provides a much-needed offensive boost as Barcelona look to pull off a historic European-style “Remontada” on home soil, like they did to PSG during the Round of 16 of the 2016-17 UEFA Champions League.

In this way, thanks to the 4-0 first-leg victory, the team managed by Diego Simeone secured its spot in the Copa del Rey final, where it will face either Real Sociedad or Athletic Bilbao.

Barcelona face the daunting task of overturning a significant deficit after falling 4-0 in the first leg at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano. However, the Blaugranes enter this fixture on the back of two consecutive home victories in LaLiga, results that allow them to dream of a historic comeback in front of their home supporters.

Indeed, Barcelona can draw from a legendary precedent in their own history. During the Round of 16 in the 2016-17 UEFA Champions League, the Spanish giants suffered a 4-0 first-leg defeat to PSG in France, leaving their European hopes in tatters. Yet, they proved their resilience at the Camp Nou, securing a stunning 6-1 victory to seal a historic comeback that remains etched in the record books.

Despite those memories, Atletico Madrid have no intention of making matters easy for their rivals. Riding a three-match winning streak, Diego Simeone’s side will look to secure its passage to the final and avoid any late drama, aiming to protect its substantial aggregate lead with its trademark defensive discipline.

Barcelona’s confirmed lineup

Hansi Flick must navigate a significant injury crisis for this crucial fixture. Robert Lewandowski (fractured eye socket) and Frenkie de Jong (thigh) are not playing today, joining Gavi (knee) and Andreas Christensen (ACL) on the sidelines. Additionally, Eric Garcia is unavailable due to the red card he received in the first leg.

Barcelona’s lineup to face Atletico Madrid: Joan Garcia; Joao Cancelo, Gerard Martin, Jules Kounde, Pau Cubarsi; Bernal, Fermin Lopez, Pedri; Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres, Raphinha.

Atletico Madrid’s confirmed lineup

Diego Simeone welcomes back Nicolas Gonzalez, who has returned to the squad list following a muscle tear, though he will begin the match on the bench. The Colchoneros otherwise boast a largely healthy squad as they look to reach their first Copa del Rey final since 2013.

Atletico Madrid’s lineup to face Barcelona: Juan Musso; Marcos Llorente, Marc Pubill, David Hancko, Matteo Ruggeri; Johnny Cardozo, Koke, Giuliano Simeone; Ademola Lookman, Antoine Griezmann, Julian Alvarez.

After being stunned 4-0 by Atletico Madrid in the first leg, Barcelona head home facing a daunting task. Diego Simeone’s squad dominated from the outset, turning a projected tight semifinal into a one-sided statement and moving within reach of the final.

Now, the Catalan side must attempt a four-goal comeback in front of their fans looking to miraculously reach the Copa del Rey final—an uphill battle that sets the stage for a must-watch showdown.

When will the Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid match be played?

Barcelona square off against Atletico Madrid in the second leg of the 2025/2026 Copa del Rey semifinal this Tuesday, March 3, with kickoff set for 3:00 PM (ET). Barcelona must win to advance, as a tie or loss would be enough for Atletico to win the series.

Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid: Time by State in the USA

ET: 3:00 PM
CT: 2:00 PM
MT: 1:00 PM
PT: 12:00 PM

How to watch Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid in the USA

Catch this 2025-26 Copa del Rey clash between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid live in the United States on ESPN+.

The Basque Derby in this Copa del Rey semifinals is far from decided after Real Sociedad edged Athletic Bilbao 1-0 on the road in the semifinal first leg, taking a narrow advantage back to Anoeta.

With just one goal separating the rivals, Bilbao are still within striking distance and one big performance could flip the tie and punch a ticket to the final. Expect another heated, high-stakes clash—don’t miss it.

When will the Real Sociedad vs Athletic Club match be played?

Real Sociedad play against Athletic Club in the second leg of the 2025/2026 Copa del Rey semifinal this Wednesday, March 4, with kickoff set for 3:00 PM (ET).

Real Sociedad vs Athletic Club: Time by State in the USA

ET: 3:00 PM
CT: 2:00 PM
MT: 1:00 PM
PT: 12:00 PM

How to watch Real Sociedad vs Athletic Club in the USA

Catch this 2025-26 Copa del Rey clash between Real Sociedad and Athletic Club live in the United States on ESPN+.

Barça return home carrying urgency, while Atletico travel with the comfort and danger of advantage. Form, absences and tactical restraint now shape a contest where patience could matter as much as precision.

Whether this chapter becomes a tale of resilience or control will depend on how quickly the rhythm is set and who blinks first. In a rivalry built on intensity, the consequences may stretch well beyond the final scoreline. Follow Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid live with us!

What happens if Barcelona beat Atletico Madrid today?

A Barcelona victory tonight could dramatically rewrite this semifinal script, depending on how many goals they score. After a 4–0 deficit from the first leg, courtesy of a dominant Atletico performance in Madrid, they would need something approaching a historic showing to swing the aggregate in their favor.

The Catalans would have to match Atletico’s four-goal output to force extra time, or win by 5+ goals to avoid overtime or a penalty shootout. Coach Hansi Flick himself has admitted Barcelona must “make the impossible possible” to stay alive in the Copa del Rey. Given the context, missing key players like Robert Lewandowski and others due to injury or suspension, such a win would be seen as one for the ages.

What happens if Barcelona and Atletico Madrid tie?

A draw in tonight’s second leg, regardless of the scoreline, would spell Barcelona’s exit from the Copa del Rey semifinals. With Atletico already leading 4–0 on aggregate from the first leg, a stalemate leaves Barça’s advantage deficit untouched and their hopes extinguished.

Atletico manager Diego Simeone has stressed the importance of discipline and control despite his team’s lead, reinforcing that even a draw would be sufficient to confirm their passage to the final.

In such a case, Atletico would march on to contest the Copa del Rey final, where they’d face Athletic Club or Real Sociedad, who face each other on Wednesday in the other semifinal. For Barcelona, tying would confirm a season of promise falling short, adding pressure on domestic ambitions and reshaping narratives around their squad and strategy.

What happens if Barcelona lose to Atletico Madrid today?

Should Barcelona lose tonight, the most straightforward consequence is Atletico Madrid advancing comfortably to the Copa del Rey final. A defeat would increase the aggregate deficit and underscore the gulf created in the first leg.

This outcome would immediately close Barcelona’s hopes of defending their Copa title and send Atletico into the final with momentum and confidence. It would also highlight the tactical mastery of Simeone’s side and its ability to manage two-leg ties with resolute defending and clinical execution.

A loss would deepen questions around squad depth and resilience, even as Barcelona chase other objectives in La Liga and European competition. The season’s narrative would turn towards recovery and recalibration rather than cup glory.

The damage arrived within the opening minutes of the first half, when the four goals that defined the night took place. The breakthrough came in the sixth minute after a costly mistake by goalkeeper Joan García, whose touch ended in an own goal. From there, Atletico Madrid sensed blood and pushed forward with confidence.

Antoine Griezmann extended the lead with a classy finish, while Ademola Lookman added another after a sharp assist from Julián Álvarez. The fourth goal flipped the roles, with Álvarez finding the net and Lookman providing the service. Barcelona struggled to cope with the movement and efficiency of Atletico Madrid’s attack.

Early in the second half, Barcelona believed they had pulled one back through Pau Cubarsí, but the play was disallowed because Robert Lewandowski was ruled offside in the buildup. Barcelona kept trying to respond and gain momentum, yet the visitors maintained control, and the comeback never materialized.

Best memes and reactions

Given that the Copa del Rey has a two-leg format, this means both teams now have to go and play the second leg with Barcelona being the home team. However, the fact remains, after getting blown out by Atletico Madrid and sparking hilarious memes, coming back from this defeat will be very tough.

Atletico made sure to impose their will over Barcelona, especially on the first half, as they scored four goals there. It was just very dominant and really out of the blue, as no one expected this kind of avalanche to roll over Barcelona.

How can Barcelona still get through to the final?

Barcelona need to win on the aggregate score to progress through to the final. Hence, they now have to beat Atletico by at least five goals to overcome the four-goal deficit. That would make Barcelona a finalist in the 2026 Copa del Rey.

The other option that Barcelona have is to win by four to force extra time. If the draw on aggregate persists after the two extra periods of 15 minutes each, the winner would be decided on penalties. However, if any team scores on extra time, the aggregate also changes.

When did Barcelona last win the Copa del Rey?

Barcelona are actually the defending Copa del Rey champions. However, winning it in the 2024-25 season ended a three-year spell without winning the trophy. Since 2020, Barcelona are the only team to win it more than once. Last year, they beat nemesis Real Madrid 3-2 in the final at La Cartuja, Seville.

Barcelona also hold the record for most wins in the Copa del Rey. The ‘Cules‘ have won 32 Copa del Rey trophies, and have been runners-up 11 times. They are followed by Athletic Bilbao, with 24 wins, and then Real Madrid with 20 wins, but also hold 21 losses.

Barcelona have managed to turn things around, putting together six consecutive victories. Because of that run, they enter the semifinal against Atletico Madrid as favorites. However, the Blaugrana are without Raphinha, Pedri and Marcus Rashford, and Hansi Flick surprised many by placing Robert Lewandowski on the bench.

It goes without saying both the reigning Spanish champions and Diego Simeone’s men would have preferred to avoid each other until the final, but the draw set up a heavyweight clash. Atletico Madrid advanced after a dominant 5-0 victory over Real Betis, sending a clear warning ahead of this matchup.

Barcelona reached this stage after getting past Albacete in a tight contest that nearly turned into a shock. They edged their opponents 2-1, with Lamine Yamal and Ronald Araujo responsible for the goals that sealed the win and kept their cup hopes alive.

What happens if Barcelona win vs Atletico Madrid?

If Barcelona win against Atletico Madrid, they take a significant advantage into the second leg. They would earn a positive result away from home and then close the series at Camp Nou, a scenario that would leave Atletico Madrid in a very difficult position. Flick’s team would already feel they have one foot in the final.

What happens if Barcelona and Atletico Madrid tie?

If Barcelona and Atletico Madrid finish level, everything would be decided in the return match at Camp Nou. Because the semifinal is played over two games, there is no extra time or penalties in the first leg. That situation would still make Barcelona favorites with the decisive match at home.

What happens if Barcelona lose vs Atletico Madrid?

If Barcelona lose to Atletico Madrid, they would be in danger heading into the second leg. They would need a comeback on their own field, a complicated task considering Simeone’s reputation for building strong defensive teams. It is also important to note the away goals rule does not apply if the aggregate score is tied after 180 minutes.

Hansi Flick, Barcelona’s manager, opted to go with Ferran Torres as the starting number nine for the ‘Blaugrana‘ and leave Lewandowski on the bench. This is a tactical decision by the German coach, who has done it constantly this season.

This is not the only top-tier player who is not starting for Barcelona against the Atletico Madrid. However, Lewandowski is healthy and is just a matter that he lost his place to Torres in the lineup. In a key game, the 37-year-old, is not trusted to play the full 90 minutes.

Lewandowski’s numbers compared to Torres’

In the 2025-2026 season, Torres has played 31 games, starting 21 of those. He has 16 goals and one assist in all competitions. As for Lewandowski, he has played 28 games, starting 16, scoring 13 goals and getting one assist in the process. That would make Torres a slightly more prolific player for Barcelona this year.

In raw numbers, Ferran Torres has an 0.88 G+A per 90 minutes played. As for Lewandowski, it’s just slightly below, providing a 0.84 G+A pero 90 minutes played. However, Torres is faster, and more collaborative than Lewandowski, who is more of a traditional, classic striker.

How did Barcelona and Atletico get here?

Barcelona qualified to the semifinals after beating Guadalajara (2-0) in the Round of 32, Racing Santander (2-0) in the Round of 16, and Albacete (2-1) in the quarterfinals. The ‘Culés’ are favored to win against Atletico Madrid in this game.

The ‘Colchoneros‘ beat Atletico Baleares (3-2) in Round of 32, Deportivo La Coruña (1-0) in Round of 16, and Real Betis (5-0) in the quarterfinals. It was a statement made in the quarterfinals but now it’s a tougher test.

The match began in disastrous fashion for Barcelona. Just six minutes in, a catastrophic blunder by goalkeeper Joan García resulted in an Eric García own goal, putting Atletico Madrid ahead. The home side capitalized on the momentum, maintaining high-pressure tactics that quickly yielded further results.

Eight minutes after the opener, Antoine Griezmann doubled the lead, continuing to punish a shell-shocked Barcelona defense. The visitors struggled to respond, and in the 32nd minute, Ademola Lookman slotted home the third goal of the night. To compound Barcelona‘s misery, Julian Alvarez struck a fourth goal just before the halftime whistle, effectively putting the game out of reach before the break.

In the second half, Barcelona failed to find their footing and offered little in the way of a comeback, leaving the scoreline unchanged at the final whistle. Barcelona now face the monumental task of needing at least four goals in the return leg when the two sides meet again on March 3.