In an electrifying display of football, Barcelona and Atlético Madrid fought back from two-goal deficits to end their Copa del Rey semi-final first leg in a 4-4 draw at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. Meanwhile, Inter Milan secured a commanding 2-0 victory over Lazio in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals, setting up a semi-final clash with AC Milan. In another surprising turn of events, third-tier Arminia Bielefeld stunned Bundesliga giants Werder Bremen with a 2-1 win, advancing to the DFB Pokal semi-finals.

Barcelona and Atlético Madrid Clash in Thrilling Encounter

The match between Barcelona and Atlético Madrid was nothing short of spectacular. In the opening minutes, Atlético surged ahead with goals from Julián Álvarez and Antoine Griezmann. However, the home side quickly responded, equalizing by the 21st minute through Pedri and Pau Cubarsí. Barcelona continued their momentum, taking a 3-2 lead into halftime after Iñigo Martínez’s goal, followed by Robert Lewandowski’s strike in the second half. Despite this, Atlético refused to concede, leveling the score in stoppage time through Marcos Llorente and Alexander Sørloth. The thrilling encounter set the stage for an eagerly awaited second leg at Atlético’s Metropolitano Stadium in April.

Inter's Spectacular Performance Earns Them a Semi-Final Berth

Inter Milan showcased their prowess on home soil, securing a decisive 2-0 victory over Lazio. Marko Arnautovic delivered a breathtaking volley just before halftime, leaving the crowd in awe. Hakan Calhanoglu added to Inter’s lead from the penalty spot in the 77th minute, sealing their place in the semi-finals. Lazio mounted a strong challenge in the second half but were unable to breach Inter’s defense. This victory sets up a highly anticipated semi-final against AC Milan, where Inter will aim to replicate last season’s success.

Bielefeld’s Stunning Upset Shakes Up the DFB Pokal

In one of the most surprising results of the tournament, third-tier Arminia Bielefeld triumphed over Bundesliga club Werder Bremen with a 2-1 victory. Bielefeld capitalized on defensive errors, scoring twice within six minutes in the first half. Despite Werder’s efforts to mount a comeback, including a late goal from Oliver Burke and a near miss in stoppage time, Bielefeld held on to advance to the semi-finals. This marks Bielefeld’s third consecutive elimination of a Bundesliga team, cementing their status as underdogs to watch in the competition.

These matches not only highlight the unpredictability of football but also underscore the importance of resilience and determination. As teams prepare for the next rounds, fans can look forward to more thrilling encounters that promise to keep them on the edge of their seats.