Alexander Sorloth's stoppage-time leveller rescued a remarkable 4-4 draw as Atletico Madrid clawed back from two goals down late on at Barcelona in a rip-roaring Copa del Rey semi-final first leg.

Diego Simeone's visitors stunned the home side early on, taking a two-goal lead as Julian Alvarez opened the scoring inside the first minute before Antoine Griezmann extended their advantage five minutes later.

However, Barcelona fought back with Pedri converting Jules Kounde's offload in the 19th minute, before hitting Atletico with two almost identical corner-kick routines.

Pau Cubarsi headed home from Raphina's set-piece just two minutes later, before the Brazilian repeated the dose with another corner onto the head of Inigo Martinez just before half-time.

Robert Lewandowski made it 4-2 with a tap-in from close range after great individual work by Lamine Yamal in the 74th minute, as it looked like Barcelona had seized control on Tuesday.

Hansi Flick's side may have been confident of taking a two-goal lead into the April 2 return leg, yet chaotic late drama turned the tie on its head.

Marcos Llorente pulled one back with six minutes remaining, catching Barca's defence napping to finish after Angel Correa's hopeful cutback pass.

Sorloth struck the decisive blow in the 93rd minute, profiting from Samuel Lino's driving run and delightful low delivery to tap home and leave the semi-final tie level before the return meeting in the Spanish capital.

Data Debrief: Sorloth goes late again in eight-goal thriller

Barcelona are now unbeaten in seven straight Copa del Rey clashes with Atletico, though that will prove scant consolation for a disappointing collapse and missed opportunity here.

The hosts were slow to get going, stunned by Atletico's two-goal blow, but recovered well en route what looked set to be a deserved win, accumulating 3.59 expected goals to their visitors' 1.51.

However, Simeone's side produced a comeback for the ages in the first meeting between these two sides in any competition to see eight goals, since Barcelona's 5-4 Copa del Rey win in March 1997.

Sorloth proved the hero with his third 90th-minute goal against Barcelona across all competitions, leaving this tie delicately poised ahead of the return leg.