Overview
- Atlético beat Barcelona 4-0 in the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg, capitalizing on an early own goal after Joan Garcia miscontrolled an Eric Garcia back pass.
- Antoine Griezmann, Ademola Lookman and Julián Álvarez powered Atlético’s attack, with Álvarez ending an 11-match scoring drought and Barcelona finishing with ten men after a late red card for Eric Garcia.
- Barcelona’s potential lifeline was cut when Pau Cubarsí’s second-half strike was ruled out for offside, a review complicated by a confirmed failure of the semi-automatic offside system in a crowded penalty area.
- The CTA said a player-modelling error made it impossible to restore the system during the match, intensifying scrutiny of officiating technology after a lengthy VAR check.
- In the women’s Champions League playoff first leg, Paris FC lost 3-2 at home to Real Madrid, leaving qualification uncertain ahead of the February 18 return leg after previously being unbeaten against the Spanish side.