Barcelona's midfield maestro and wicked winger were a force to be reckoned with but Robert Lewandowski's replacement wilted in the Copa del Rey
Barcelona threw away a two-goal cushion after overturning a big deficit of their own in a extraordinary 4-4 draw against Atletico Madrid in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-finals.
The visitors stormed out of the blocks and took the lead inside the opening minute when Antoine Griezmann's teasing cross found its way to the sniping Julian Alvarez to tuck home.
The Argentine then returned the favour as he set up Griezmann and his shot had too much power for Wojciech Szczesny to handle as Atletico finished off a rapid counter-attack five minutes later.
Ferran Torres missed a glorious one-on-one chance soon after but Pedri got Barcelona back into the game in the 19th minute when he slotted in Jules Kounde's cutback.
Pau Cubarsi levelled proceedings less than two minutes later as the teenager buried a header from Raphinha's dangerous corner. And then four minutes before half-time, Barca's turnaround was in full swing when an unmarked Inigo Martinez nodded in Raphinha's fierce corner to make it 3-2.
Atletico, who counter-attacked at every opportunity and with astounding speed, nearly made it 3-3, only for Szczesny to push away Griezmann's goal-bound effort early in the second half.
Substitute Alexander Sorloth, who scored the winner in a smash-and-grab La Liga victory against Barca in December, thought he had drawn his side level but the big striker was offside.
Then a moment of magic from Lamine Yamal in the 74th minute made it 4-2 as the 17-year-old waltzed past Atletico's defence, before perfectly setting up substitute Robert Lewandowski to score from two yards out.
Marcus Llorente set up a frantic end to the game with a rasping drive into the corner in the 84th minute and then Sorloth came back to haunt the Blaugrana again when he slotted past Szczesny deep into second-half stoppage time. Both teams will head to Madrid for the return leg with the semi-final on a knife edge.
GOAL rates Barcelona's players from Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium…
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Wojciech Szczesny (5/10):
Maybe could have done better for three of Atletico's four goals as some of his good work on the night was undone.
Jules Kounde (6/10):
Looked vulnerable in defence, especially when facing the deadly Alvarez, but got forward well and expertedly assisted Pedri for Barca's opening goal.
Pau Cubarsi (6/10):
He and his fellow defenders struggled to deal with Atletico's ferocious counter-attacks but he outmuscled Pablo Barrios for a well-taken header.
Inigo Martinez (6/10):
The experienced defender looked a step slow at times against Alvarez and Atletico's attack but he buried a header with aplomb.
Alejandro Balde (7/10):
Some of his sweeping work at the back was very timely as his pace got him and his team out of trouble.
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Frenkie de Jong (7/10):
Mopped up a lot of the danger that came his way in a quiet and efficient display.
Pedri (9/10):
The midfield wizard was weaving his magic in the first half as he dragged Barca back into the game with a neat finish and his passing unlocked Atletico's defence repeatedly. The little general was everywhere.
Dani Olmo (7/10):
Was smothered at times by Atletico's energetic midfield but was by no means ineffective.
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Raphinha (8/10):
His deliveries from corners were lethal as the Brazilian bagged two excellent assists.
Ferran Torres (4/10):
Spurned two glorious chances in the first half as Barca fans were made to wish for the presence of Lewandowski.
Lamine Yamal (8/10):
Had Javi Galan on toast on multiple occasions and then pulled off a sumptuous assist for Lewandowski to make it 4-2.
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Robert Lewandowski (7/10):
Scored with virtually his first touch after a remarkable bit of skill from Yamal.
Gavi (6/10):
Was busy when he came onto the pitch.
Eric Garcia (5/10):
Came on to shore up the defence but couldn't.
Fermin Lopez (N/A):
Didn't get a chance to shine.
Hansi Flick (6/10):
The German must have been shellshocked after seeing his side go 2-0 down inside but Barca showed great grit to come back to make it 4-2. But they couldn't handle the counter-attack all night in a rollercoaster game.
