Atletico Madrid sent a brutal message to Spain with a ruthless 4-0 demolition of Barcelona in the Copa del Rey semifinals at the Metropolitano Stadium on Thursday night.

Ademola Lookman emerged as the headline act, delivering a goal and an assist in a performance that left Barcelona chasing shadows from start to finish under Diego Simeone’s relentless setup.

The nightmare began almost instantly for Barcelona when Eric Garcia turned the ball into his own net inside the opening minute, gifting Atletico a dream start.

Antoine Griezmann compounded the misery in the 14th minute, calmly slotting home after a slick attacking move sliced through the stunned visitors.

Lookman made it three in the 33rd minute, finishing clinically after Giuliano Simeone linked with Julian Alvarez, marking his second goal in as many matches for the club.

Before Barcelona could regroup, Lookman struck again, this time as provider, teeing up Alvarez, who fired home from the edge of the box in stoppage time to complete a devastating first-half collapse.

The 28-year-old carried his electric form from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations straight into Spanish football, looking every inch a marquee arrival.

He has now directly contributed to four goals in just three appearances, including a standout debut Copa del Rey display against Real Betis.

Barcelona, by contrast, looked blunt and overwhelmed, struggling to impose themselves at any stage of the contest.

Ferran Torres and Dani Olmo forced saves from Juan Musso, but Atletico’s defensive structure swallowed every threat, clearing corners and set pieces with authority.

Even after the break, Atletico refused to retreat, with Lookman and Alvarez continuing to stretch and torment the Catalan backline.

The result leaves Barcelona facing a near-impossible task in the return leg, while Atletico appear to have one foot firmly planted in the Copa del Rey final.