Atletico Madrid produced a dominant performance to reach the semifinal of this season’s Copa del Rey following a 5-0 win against Real Betis, Thursday, at the Estadio de La Cartuja.
Diego Simeone’s men were ruthless and decisive, converting five of their six shots on target.
It was Rojiblancos’ biggest win over Thursday’s host since 2016, and the third team to beat Los Verdiblancos’ by as many as 5 goals this season – Real Madrid and Barcelona the other teams.
Though their form coming into the game was unimpressive, Atletico were on the front foot from the early exchanges.
David Hancko fired the visitors ahead inside the opening twelve minutes, with a fine header. Guiliano Simeone doubled for Tico in the 30th minute and in quick succession, new signing Ademola Lookman (37′) got his debut goal and Atletico Madrid’s third.
A comfortable 3-0 lead by half time left Manuel Pellegrini’s men with a hill to climb, and he’d had hoped momentum shifted.
However, it wasn’t to be and Atletico continued the onslaught, hitting the ground running in after the break.
Substitute, Antoine Griezmann extended the lead, scoring twelve minutes after he was introduced. The Frenchman finished exquisitely from a Lookman assist to make the lead unassailable.
As the game wore on, Real Betis tried to keep the score line respectable, but there was time for one more goal in the game and it was yet gain the visitors who celebrated.
Thiago Almada, another substitute, got in on the action, grabbing a goal on a platter when the ball fell to him inside the box and only had to hit home a rebound.
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It seemed like a routine win for Simeone, his team has now won their last three meetings against Real Betis in all’ competitions.
Atletico Madrid thus advance to the semi-finals following the victory, and they join FC Barcelona, Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad.
The draw for the semi-finals will be held February 6, at the RFEF headquarters in Las Rozas.
First leg matches will be played this February, and second leg matches a month later.
