Atletico Madrid welcomed Barcelona to the Vicente Calderon on Wednesday night for the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final.
Goals from Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi saw Barcelona take a 2-0 lead into the interval in the Spanish capital.
Antoine Griezmann responded for Atletico just before the hour with a close-range header, but the capital side could not score a second goal as they suffered defeat on home soil.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live Copa del Rey coverage continues from the Vicente Calderon as Atletico Madrid welcome Barcelona for the first leg of their semi-final. Both teams will enter the match off the back of La Liga draws at the weekend, which allowed Real Madrid to pull further clear at the summit. Tonight, however, is all about Spain's leading cup competition and potentially securing a first-leg advantage.
Tonight's match will be the second time that Atletico and Barcelona have met this season, with the points shared in a 1-1 draw at Camp Nou in the league back in September. Incredibly, Champions League aside, Atletico have not beaten Barcelona in a domestic match since February 2010, which is staggering considering the Madrid club's growth in recent seasons. Will that run end tonight?
Indeed, Barcelona recorded a 2-1 victory when they travelled to the Vicente Calderon in the league last season and have only lost on one of their last four visits to this stadium in all competitions. Right, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from the Spanish capital...
TEAMS!
ATLETI: Moya; Vrsaljko, Godin, Savic, Luis; Gabi, Koke, Saul, Juanfran; Carrasco, Griezmann
BARCA: Cillessen; Roberto, Pique, Umtiti, Alba; Mascherano, Gomes, Rakitic; Neymar, Suarez, Messi
Atletico boss Diego Simeone has made three changes to the team that started the goalless draw away to Alaves at the weekend, with Stefan Savic, Juanfran and Gabi taking the places of Jose Gimenez, Nicolas Gaitan and Kevin Gameiro. Juanfran returns to the team in a midfield position, while Antoine Griezmann and Yannick Ferreira Carrasco will operate in the final third of the field.
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Barcelona head coach Luis Enrique, meanwhile, has made six changes to the team that started the 1-1 draw with Real Betis last time out. Jasper Cillessen is given the nod between the sticks, while only Gerard Pique keeps his place in the back four as Jordi Alba, Sergi Roberto and Samuel Umtiti are selected. There are also two changes in midfield as Javier Mascherano and Andre Gomes both come in.
So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff on this mild evening in Madrid. The stadium is filling up nicely as we build towards 8pm. I shall speak about Barcelona a little bit later, but let's start with Atletico. The Madrid club are 10-time winners of the Copa del Rey and last lifted the trophy in 2013 after overcoming bitter rivals Real Madrid in the final.
Simeone's side overcame Guijuelo and Las Palmas to reach the quarter-final stage of this year's competition, before recording a 5-2 aggregate victory over Eibar to make the semi-finals. They could have drawn either Alaves or Celta Vigo in the final four, but holders Barcelona came out of the hat in what should be a fascinating two-legged affair. Whoever advances will be the big favourites.
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Atletico won five of their six Champions League group matches to breeze into the knockout round of that competition and they have a two-legged affair with Bayer Leverkusen to come later this month. In the cups, Atletico have been strong, but they have struggled to launch a challenge for La Liga.
Indeed, Simeone's side currently sit down in fourth spot in La Liga – six points behind second-place Barcelona and 10 points behind the league leaders Real Madrid, who still have a game in hand. Atletico are actually also just one point clear of fifth-place Real Sociedad and two points clear of sixth-place Villarreal as they face a battle to finish in the Champions League positions this term.
Once again, Atletico have been strong defensively in the league, conceding just 16 times in their 20 matches to date. They have struggled down the other end of the field, however, managing just 34 goals, which is 18 fewer than leading scorers Barcelona and just five more than struggling Valencia.
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Atletico are unbeaten in the league since losing 3-0 at Villarreal on December 12, but they have drawn their last two in Spain's top flight, the last of which was a stalemate at Alaves at the weekend. Speculation surrounding the future of head coach Simeone has also not helped matters, but they have the chance to reach yet another major cup final. Barcelona will have other ideas though.
Barcelona, however, are looking for their 29th Copa del Rey crown. The Catalan giants beat Sevilla 2-0 in the final last season to make it back-to-back titles and they have made five of the last six finals in this competition. Whoever wins this particular semi-final will be the big favourites to land the crown.
Barcelona's route to the final of this competition has seen them overcome Hercules, Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad, and they have only lost once in the Copa del Rey since April 2014. Atletico will be looking to secure an advantage in this first leg, but Barcelona have the second leg in front of their own supporters one week from tonight. Kickoff in Madrid is now under 20 minutes away!
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Like Atletico, Barcelona made it through their Champions League group with relative ease and the Spanish outfit have a two-legged affair with French champions Paris Saint-Germain later this month. The treble, on paper at least, is still very much on, but Enrique's side will need Real Madrid to suffer a poor run of form in order to stand a chance of retaining the La Liga title.
Indeed, Barcelona dropped more points at the weekend when they could only draw 1-1 at Celta Vigo. That result moved them above Sevilla into second, but they are four points off leaders Real Madrid, who still have a game in hand. The title is not gone for the champions, but Zinedine Zidane's side are very much in control of their own destiny as things stand in Spain's top flight.
Barcelona have actually not lost in the league since the start of October, while they are unbeaten in all competitions since a 2-1 defeat at Athletic Bilbao in the first leg of their Copa del Rey last-16 clash. There is no question that they will fancy their chances of picking up a good result tonight.
🔵🔴👕 #ForçaBarça pic.twitter.com/5tatwKupyF — FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 1, 2017
Here we go then - both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first 45 minutes of this semi-final. It might be a cagey affair, and I actually fancy the two teams to play out a 1-1 draw in Madrid.
KICKOFF! Barcelona kick things off in the Spanish capital...
... it must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the Vicente Calderon tonight. The home supporters will be expecting a full-throttle performance from their team, but Barcelona will be confident of picking up a positive result. As expected, it has been lively early on in Madrid.
Cillessen is put in trouble by Mascherano after the Barcelona right-back fed the ball towards his own goalkeeper, but the number two managed to clear his lines under pressure from Griezmann.
Barcelona have just started to take control of the possession as they look to settle, but that is to be expected. Atletico will be more than happy to spend long periods without the ball and then attempt to threaten on the counter-attack. You wonder whether Atletico would settle for a 0-0 draw here.
Mascherano has been very busy in the middle of the park in the opening seven minutes of this match. Every time Atletico have tried to make the ground, Mascherano has been across to challenge. First half-chance for Barcelona as Messi feeds Neymar and the Brazilian delivers a low cross towards the middle of the goal, but Savic is on hand to make a very important clearance.
GOAL! Atletico 0-1 Barcelona (Suarez)
Barcelona make the breakthrough in the seventh minute of this match as Luis Suarez uses his pace to run away from the Atletico defence before poking the ball past Moya from close range!
Half-chance for Atletico as Godin meets a corner from Gabi, but his header is wide of the post.
You just get the feeling that Atletico cannot afford to concede a second goal tonight. There is still a lot of football to be played tonight and indeed in the second leg next week, but Barcelona are so dominant at the moment and look capable of running up a very healthy advantage in this game.
Atletico are finding it difficult to get in the game at the moment as Barcelona continue to pass and probe in dangerous positions. The home side need more from their supporters during this spell.
Better from Atletico in the last couple of minutes as they start to put the pressure on Barcelona with a couple of corners in quick succession, but the away side can clear their lines. It must be said that Luis Suarez, Neymar and Messi have been excellent in the opening 16 minutes of this match.
Pique meets a deep corner from Rakitic as Barcelona threaten to score a second goal at the Vicente Calderon, but Atletico defend the second ball and eventually win a free kick. Nothing much from Griezmann or Carrasco tonight, with Pique and Umtiti dominating that battle in the capital.
Griezmann continues to offer himself in the final third of the field, but the service into the Frenchman has been disappointing so far tonight. Saul has the chance to pick out his teammate after breaking into the Barcelona box, but Pique is across to make a super defensive block.
Barcelona continue to find space in the middle of the park as Carrasco and Griezmann leave their midfield isolated, and that might be something Simeone has to change. The visitors are enjoying long spells in possession of the ball as they pick their way across the pitch at the Vicente Calderon.
Not too much of an atmosphere inside the Vicente Calderon at the moment and there does seem to be a nervousness in the stands. A second goal for Barcelona would really, really hurt Atletico.
SAVE! Moya has to get down and keep out a low strike from Neymar, who had found all sorts of space down the left before driving into the Atletico box and releasing a shot.
Just a reminder that nothing will be decided tonight. The two teams will do it all again at Camp Nou in the second leg next Wednesday. Atletico are more than capable of going to Barcelona and winning, but at the moment, they are struggling to match the Spanish champions in Madrid.
CHANCE! Barcelona have a super chance to score a second as Neymar feeds Luis Suarez inside the Atletico box and the striker returns the favour, but Neymar just cannot get clean contact on the ball and Messi also fails to make contact at the far post. Should have been 2-0.
Finally some noise from the home supporters as Atletico enjoy some possession down the right, but Juanfran cannot escape the attention of Alba and Barcelona clear their lines once again.
BOOKING! Saul (Atletico) is booked for a foul on Messi.
Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining at the Vicente Calderon and Luis Suarez's goal in the seventh minute is the difference between the two teams. In truth, Barcelona have been superior to Atletico thus far. They have played the better football and indeed created the better chances.
GOAL! Atletico 0-2 Barcelona (Messi)
Barcelona have their second of the night and it is a wonderful goal from Messi as the Argentine picks up a pass from Rakitic before firing one into the top corner. Stunning effort from Messi!
Atletico have a free kick in a dangerous position as Gomes fells Griezmann...
... Atletico's free kick is played short by Gabi and Barcelona clear their lines.
It must be said that Neymar has been wonderful for Barcelona in the first half of this match. The Brazilian has been a little under-par in recent weeks, but not tonight. He just absolutely breezed past a couple of challenges down the left, before being hacked down in a wide position.
BOOKING! Savic (Atletico) is booked for a foul on Messi.
It will be Messi to take the resulting free kick here...
... Messi misses the wall, but his effort was always too high.
Atletico just cannot get near Barcelona at the moment as the away side continue to pass and probe in dangerous positions. This semi-final could be over tonight if Barcelona get another goal.
Koke misses the crossbar from distance as Atletico have a rare half-chance.
Atletico are just not going with the Barcelona runners and Andre Gomes is the latest player to break clear down the left, but Godin clears the midfielder's cross behind for a corner. Simeone has some serious work to do in order to lift his players and indeed the supporters for the second period.
HALF-TIME: Atletico 0-2 Barcelona
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Barcelona leading 2-0 at the Vicente Calderon courtesy of goals from Luis Suarez and Messi. In truth, the visitors have been far too good for Atletico tonight and the Madrid outfit need a serious improvement in the second period.
STATISTICS! Barcelona have dominated the possession with 60%, while they have had eight attempts - four of which were on target. Atletico, meanwhile, failed to hit the target with any of their four attempts. Two yellow cards to report in the first period - Saul and Savic for Atletico.
BENCH WATCH! Correa, Gaitan, Gameiro and Torres are all on the bench for Atletico tonight and surely Simeone will look to introduce a centre-forward sooner rater than later. Barcelona, meanwhile, have the likes of Alcacer, Denis Suarez, Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal on a strong bench.
RESTART! Atletico resume the action at the Vicente Calderon...
... ATLETICO SUB! Fernando Torres replaced Vrsaljko at the break.
Atletico really cannot afford to take a 2-0 deficit to Barcelona next week if they have serious ambitions of making the final. The capital side must find at least one goal in the second period.
Fernando Torres has been busy in the early stages of the second half, with the Spaniard occupying Barcelona's two centre-backs. You sense that there is something in this for Atletico, but they will have to play a lot better than they did in the first period, which Barcelona utterly dominated.
CHANCE! Massive chance for the home side as Saul Niguez wriggles free inside the Barcelona box, but Alba is across to make a wonderful defensive challenge!
It has been much better from Atletico in the last few minutes as they look to register, but Barcelona have a lot of space on the counter-attack and you just get the feeling that they could find a third goal on the break. A third for Barcelona and it might well be curtains for this semi-final.
Barcelona are struggling to get in the game at the moment as Atletico continue to force the issue, but the away side's clean sheet remains in tact as they continue to clear their lines.
SAVE! Mascherano fires a low effort into the arms of Moya.
Little over 30 minutes remaining at the Vicente Calderon and Barcelona are preparing to make their first change as Denis Suarez chats with Enrique. The Spaniard might well replace Rakitic here.
BARCELONA SUB! Denis Suarez replaces Rakitic for Barcelona.
ATLETICO SUB! Gaitan replaces Saul Niguez, who has been booked.
GOAL! Atletico 1-2 Barcelona (Griezmann)
Response! Atletico are right back in this tie as Griezmann heads home from close range after Godin had headed towards the far post. It is a massive goal for Simeone's side here!
Barcelona have struggled to get going in the early stages of the second period and that is credit to Atletico, who have been much better since the break. Finally we have a contest on our hands.
SAVE! Good goalkeeping from Cillessen as the Barcelona stopper gets clean contact on the ball under pressure from a couple of Atletico players, who had looked to meet a low cross from Luis. Barcelona no longer look secure at the back and there is still a lot of football to be played tonight.
BOOKING! Neymar (Barcelona) is booked for a challenge on Juanfran.
Little over 20 minutes of the second period remaining and Atletico are very much on the front foot here as they seek a leveller. Again Griezmann has a strike from distance, but his effort is wide.
As it stands, Barcelona would be big favourites to progress from the second leg next week, but an equaliser for Atletico and it would be delicately poised ahead of the return match at Camp Nou. You just get the feeling that there is another goal in this match as the home side continue to press.
Atletico are preparing to make another change as we head into the final 20 minutes. Griezmann has been excellent in this second period after struggling to make an impact in the first 45.
ATLETICO SUB! Gameiro replaces Carrasco for Atletico.
Barcelona have just managed to regain a period of control in the last few minutes as they pass and probe in Atletico's half of the field. Gameiro has brought a new option for the home side, however, and you just get the feeling that there is another goal in this match. It has been a very good game.
BARCELONA SUB! Rafinha replaces Gomes for the away side.
Little under 15 minutes of this first leg remaining and Atletico are still searching for an equaliser. In truth, Barcelona have not offered too much going forward in the second period of this match.
BOOKING! Griezmann (Atletico) is booked for a late tackle on Rafinha.
CROSSBAR! Oh my word! Messi hits the crossbar with a free kick from distance!
CORRECTION! It was actually a wonderful save from Moya, not the crossbar!
CHANCE! Neymar then skies one after super work from Messi!
Barcelona have another free kick in a dangerous area as Griezmann fells Neymar...
... Messi's free kick is over the crossbar.
Barcelona have been dominant for the last five or 10 minutes here, but Atletico are still threatening and Gameiro has just sent a volley wide of the post after a super cross from Griezmann.
CLOSE! Torres turns just wide of the post after meeting a cross from Luis!
It has been a really good second period here, and Barcelona still lead 2-1 entering the final stages. Atletico have at least given themselves a chance as things stand, but the Catalan giants would still be the big favourites. Still a solid five minutes of football to play in this first leg though.
BOOKING! Gabi (Atletico) is booked for dissent.
CLOSE! Torres sends a low effort just wide of the Barcelona post!
Little over two minutes of normal time remaining and Barcelona are very deep at the moment as they look to close out the last few minutes. Fair play to Atletico for their second half here.
CLOSE! Griezmann just misses the post with a long-range drive!
BOOKING! Messi (Barcelona) is booked for a foul on Luiz.
BOOKING! Mascherano (Barcelona) is booked for a foul on Griezmann.
BOOKING! Juanfran (Atletico) is booked for dissent.
Atletico continue to force the issue, but time is running out as Barcelona clear once again.
FULL-TIME: Atletico 1-2 Barcelona
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Barcelona running out 2-1 winners over Atletico in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final. It was a brilliant game of football in the capital. Thanks for joining Sports Mole once again. Until next time!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
