After marking his Atlético Madrid debut with a goal and an assist against Real Betis, Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman continued his rapid rise in Spain with another decisive display in the Copa del Rey, inspiring Atlético to a resounding 4–0 victory over Barcelona in the first leg of their semi-final clash.

Lookman’s influence was evident from the early stages at the Metropolitano, as Atlético imposed themselves on the contest with pace and aggression.

The pressure told inside six minutes when Barcelona defender Eric García turned the ball into his own net, a moment that set the tone for a night dominated by Diego Simeone’s side.

Atlético doubled their lead in the 14th minute through Antoine Griezmann, who reacted sharply inside the area to finish clinically.

As Barcelona struggled to contain Atlético’s movement and intensity, Lookman began to take centre stage.

In the 33rd minute, the Nigerian forward showcased his composure and intelligence, timing his run perfectly to meet a precise pass from Julián Álvarez before calmly guiding the ball into the bottom corner for Atlético’s third goal.

Lookman’s impact did not end there. Deep into first-half stoppage time, he turned provider, supplying the assist for Álvarez, who struck a measured effort from the edge of the box to extend Atlético’s lead to 4–0 before the interval.

The contribution capped a dominant first-half performance in which Lookman consistently troubled Barcelona’s back line with his direct running and sharp decision-making.

Barcelona attempted to respond after the break and briefly thought they had scored, but a VAR review ruled out Pau Cubarsí’s effort for offside.

Atlético remained composed and disciplined, protecting their advantage and seeing out the contest with control.

With a goal and an assist against Barcelona added to his debut exploits, Lookman has quickly announced himself on the Spanish stage, driving Atlético Madrid into a commanding position in the Copa del Rey semi-final.

Wale Adejumo