Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman is the star who stepped up on one of the biggest nights in his burgeoning Atletico Madrid career, scoring and assisting in his first home game at the Wanda Metropolitano against Barcelona.
Spain’s Copa del Rey provided a big result as Ademola Lookman shone as Atletico Madrid destroyed Barcelona 4-0 in a Copa del Rey semi-final first leg clash.
Ademola thought he had scored Atleti’s opener as Eric Garcia’s backpass to Joan Garcia rolled under the goalkeeper’s foot and trickled into his own net, but Barca’s goalkeeper pushed it out before Lookan smashed it into the net.
However, the referee awarded the goal as an Eric Gracia own goal.
Lookman Shines As Atletico Madrid Demolish Barcelona
The hosts doubled their lead in the 14th minute when the competition’s top scorer this season, Antoine Griezmann, curled home a fine finish against his former club.
Subsequently, Atleti took control and looked capable of scoring with every attack.
Fermin Lopez did hit the woodwork for Barcelona, but that was a rare opportunity in the opening period as Atleti hunted for more goals.
Finally, Ademola Lookman got his goal in the 33rd minute when Giuliano Simeone broke down the right, before passing to Julian Alvarez, and the former Manchester City forward clipped the ball across to Lookman, who drove in his second goal in as many games for his new club.
Lookman turned provider as Argentine Alvarez ended his two-month, 11-match goal drought with an emphatic finish.
The BBC rated Ademola Lookan as the Man of the Match with an 8.80 rating ahead of Alvarez with 8.76.
The loss leaves Barcelona with all to do when they host the 10-time winners in the return leg on 3 March.
