Joan Garcia’s early error gave Atletico Madrid a sixth-minute lead against Barcelona as the La Liga sides met at the Metropolitano in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semifinal on Thursday.

Goalkeeper Garcia let Eric Garcia’s routine backpass roll under his feet, narrowly crossing the line for an embarrassing own goal.

An awful own goal 🤯

Atletico Madrid take an early lead after a big mistake from Joan Garcia 😬 pic.twitter.com/aEBpuFYDay

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) February 12, 2026

Shortly before, Garcia had brilliantly denied Giuliano Simeone in a one-on-one, turning the forward’s shot behind after Antoine Griezmann had thrown him across goal.

But Barca’s woes worsened when a sharp Atleti move resulted in Nahuel Molina feeding Griezmann inside the box, the forward finding the far corner of the net with a low finish after 14 minutes.

You can also follow live text updates of Copa del Rey matches here.

Barcelona is a nightmare 😳

Antoine Griezmann completes a fine 2-0 win over Atletico Madrid ⚽️⚽️ pic.twitter.com/4DYdVUF7vU

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) February 12, 2026

Atleti vs Barca: Why the opening goal doesn’t matter

Despite their painful start to the tie, Barcelona may not be unduly worried if last season’s semi-final between the teams in the competition is any marker.

On that occasion, Julian Alvarez scored in the first minute of the first leg in Barcelona before Griezmann made the scoreline 2-0 six minutes later.

Barcelona then scored four times without reply, only for a late goal from Marcos Llorente and – during extra time – Alexander Sorloth to ensure the blockbuster ended 4-4.

Hansi Flick’s side won the second leg 1–0 through a Ferran Torres winner and beat Real Madrid 3–2 after extra time in the final.

Atletico Madrid confirm starting squad against Barcelona

Marc Pubil returned to Atleti after missing Sunday’s 1-0 home defeat to Betis in La Liga due to illness.

The visitors made four changes, including starting goal for Juan Musso in place of Jan Oblak. Nahuel Molina joined Pubil in defense and Antoine Griezmann in attack.

Jose Maria Gimenez, Thiago Almada and Rodri Mendoza went to the bench. Johnny Cardoso was out with a muscle injury and Pablo had a thigh problem.

Atletico Madrid Starting XI: Juan Musso, Nahuel Molina, Marc Pubil, David Hanko, Matteo Ruggeri, Giuliano Simeone, Marcos Llorente, Koke, Ademola Lookman, Antoine Griezmann, Julian Alvarez

athletes Substitute: Salvi Esquivel, Jose Maria Gimenez, Rodrigo Mendoza, Alexander Sorloth, Alex Baena, Thiago Almada, Jan Oblak, Clement Langlet, Obed Vargas, Nico Gonzalez, Robin Le Normand

Barcelona confirm starting squad against Atletico Madrid

Midfielder Frankie de Jong was a doubt with a groin problem but was the Barca captain, who made two changes from Saturday’s 3-0 home win over Mallorca.

England striker Marcus Rashford had a knee problem and was replaced by Ferran Torres, while De Jong – who was an unused substitute – came on for Robert Lewandowski, who was on the bench.

Defender Andreas Christensen and forward Rafinha were injured, as were midfielders Gavi and Pedri.

Barcelona Starting XI: John Garcia, Jules Kaunde, Pau Cubarsi, Eric Garcia, Alejandro Balde, Marc Casado, Frankie de Jong, Fermin Lopez, Lamin Yamal, Fern Torres, Danny Olmo

Barca Subs: Wojciech Szczesny, Joao Cancelo, Ronald Araujo, Robert Lewandowski, Gerard Martin, Rooney Bergdzi, Marc Bernal, Joffrey Torrents, Diego Kochen, Juan Hernandez, Tomas Marx

How to Watch Atleti vs Barcelona: Live Online Stream, TV Channel

Kick-off was on Thursday at 20:00 GMT (15:00 ET / 12:00 PT) with live coverage in the UK on ITV4.

Fans can stream the action ITV’s website and the ITVX app, available on a variety of devices for on-the-go viewing.

Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona Stats

• Barca have won the Copa del Rey more times than anyone else (32 to Athletic Club’s 24 and Real Madrid’s 20) and have reached the final the most times (43 to Real Madrid’s 41).
• In 14 of their last 20 meetings with Spanish sides, they have scored at least three goals
• 1-0 home defeat by Leganes on 15 December 2024 Barcelona Failed to score against the Spanish club
• Third in La Liga, Atleti’s win at Betis is their only win in their last four matches (D1 L2).
• They are the fourth most successful team in Copa del Rey history, having won the competition 10 times
• Atleti have failed to reach the final since their triumph in 2012/13, although they have reached two of their four semi-finals in the last two seasons.
• In a thrilling semi-final last season, Atleti led 2-0 after six minutes in the first leg at Barca before falling behind 4-2 before eventually drawing 4-4 ​​thanks to Alexander Sorloth’s 93rd-minute equaliser.
• Ferran Torres scored the only goal in the second leg, as Barça beat Real Madrid 3–2 after extra time in the final.
• Since their first meeting in the competition in 1924/25, the teams have met in 25 knockout ties.
• Barcelona have progressed 15 times to Atleti’s 10
• In each of the last four Copa meetings (2009, 2015, 2017 and 2025), Barca have advanced and gone on to lift the trophy.

What’s next for these teams? Atletico Madrid, Barcelona fixtures

Atleti visit relegation-threatened Rayo Vallecano in La Liga on Sunday (15:15), a day before Barca travel to midtable Girona (20:00).