Barca and Atleti share spoils in spectacular eight-goal thriller of the season!

What a match, what a dramma, what a spectacle! Barcelona and Atletico Madrid drew 4-4 on Tuesday in a highly entertaining Copa del Rey semi-final first-leg game.

The Catalans conceded two goals inside the opening six minutes before turning the game upside down even before the half-time interval. Just six minutes before the final whistle, Barcelona were 4-2 up, but then the visitors rose from the abbys to grab a draw in this eight-goal thriller ahead of the return leg, scheduled for early April.

That battle at the Olimpic Lluis Companys stadium was probably the best 90+4 minutes of football this season in entire Europe, not just because of eight goals, but also the action on both ends, embellished with high rhythm and some spectacular moves.

It was an unexpectedly eventful start to the game, as the visitors struck almost straight from the kick-off. Griezmann and Alvarez teamed up for a promising chance just 19 seconds into the match, but Szczesny tipped it over the crossbar, resulting in a corner. This time, the Atleti's duo was more accurate, and thanks to Lenglet's header, who pounced on Griezmann's cross, the ball reached Alvarez on the far post for a stunning opener after just 47 seconds.

This furious start didn't prevent the visitors from piling on some more pressure and doubling the lead just five minutes later. Kounde's intercepted pass triggered a brutal counter as Alvarez returned the favour (and assist) to Griezmann for a somewhat shocking 2-0 lead.

At least 90% of teams would surrender after conceding two goals at home to Cholo's Atletico inside the opening six minutes, but not Hansi Flick's mighty, potent machine.

Ferran Torres found himself in a clear-cut chance to reduce the gap soon, firing it too weak in a one-on-one situation. Unlike him, Pedri is not missing such opportunities despite not being a striker. And the Barca's youngster proved his class in the 19th minute, slotting it low to make it 2-1.

It took Los Colchoneros six minutes to create a two-goal lead and only three minutes to say goodbye to it. Another Blaugrana prodigy, Pau Cubarsi, headed it home on the back post, following a corner from the right, to restore the stalemate and show the character and strength of Barcelona's squad. That was Cubarsi's first-ever Barcelona goal, which resulted in an ecstatic and a much-deserved celebration of the 18-year-old.

It could and should have been 3-2 just a few minutes later if it wasn't for lacklustre Torress, who missed another sitter. He even went past Atleti's keeper this time, but his finishing was below par.

Still, it was incredible to see Barca's high press, as the visitors couldn't get out of their own half for more than 15 minutes. And after they did - the punishment was lethal. Inigo Martinez ran past his marker and nailed a header for a total comeback, 3-2.

The second half started quite slowly, without that action and excitement, as Lewandowski scored to make it 4-2 midway through the second half. Mesmerizing Lamine Yamal did his thing on the right flank, storming down inside the area to put the ball on the plate for Lewa and a tap-in inside the six-yard box.

Simeone opted for several substitutions, but was entirely helpless at that moment, faced with the Blaugrana's complete control of the game and the ball. "Ole, ole, ole" was heard from the stands as Flick's crew hid the ball from their rival. Alas, it was still far from over as, firstly, Llorente pegged one back in the 84th minute. It was a carbon copy of that Pedri's goal, only this time on the other end.

And then, deep into the stoppage time, Sorloth found the back of the net for the cherry on the top of this rollercoaster.

If you missed this game, regret is the word we've got for you!

COPPA DEL REY - SEMI-FINALS

Tuesday

Barcelona - Atl.Madrid 4-4 (3-2)

/Pedri 19, Cubarsi 21, Martinez 41, Lewandowski 74 - Alvarez 1, Griezmann 6, Llorente 84, Sorloth 92/

Wednesday

23.30: (4.10) Sociedad (3.75) Real Madrid (1.85)

***odds are subject to change***