Atletico Madrid delivered a stunning performance to crush Getafe 5-0 in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals at the Metropolitano Stadium on Tuesday. Giuliano Simeone’s first-half brace set the tone, with Atletico showcasing ruthless efficiency ahead of their highly anticipated La Liga clash with Real Madrid this weekend.
Match Recap
Atletico Madrid wasted no time asserting their dominance, breaking the deadlock in just the 8th minute. A pinpoint cross from Javi Galan found Giuliano Simeone, who expertly directed a header into the bottom corner, leaving Getafe goalkeeper Jiri Letacek with no chance.
The Argentine wasn’t done yet. Just nine minutes later, Simeone doubled his tally, capping off a blistering counter-attack initiated by Julian Alvarez. Alvarez’s clever play opened up space, allowing Simeone to slot the ball past Letacek with a composed low finish.
Atletico continued to pile on the pressure, and right before halftime, Samuel Lino made it 3-0. A slick through ball from Alvarez found Lino, who showcased brilliant footwork to sit down defender Juan Iglesias before calmly slotting the ball into the net with his right foot.
The second half saw Atletico maintain their attacking intent. Simeone thought he had completed his hat-trick in the 49th minute, but his goal was ruled out for offside after a VAR check. Shortly after, he was substituted to a standing ovation, making way for Cesar Azpilicueta.
Atletico added their fourth goal in the 78th minute, thanks to substitute Angel Correa. After receiving a pass from Conor Gallagher just outside the box, Correa unleashed a powerful strike from distance, beating Letacek with ease.
The rout was completed in the 86th minute when Alexander Sorloth capitalized on a defensive error from Domingos Duarte. A quick one-two with Correa allowed Sorloth to finish clinically, sealing an emphatic 5-0 victory.
Key Stats and Data Debrief
- Unbeaten Streak: Atletico Madrid have now gone five games unbeaten across all competitions (W4, D1) since their surprise defeat to Leganes earlier this month.
- Copa del Rey Milestone: This was the first time Atletico scored five or more goals in a Copa del Rey home match from the quarter-finals onwards since their 8-1 win over Real Sociedad in the 1965 semi-finals.
- Halftime Dominance: Atletico led 3-0 at halftime—the first time they’ve done so in any competition since January 2023 against Real Valladolid in La Liga.
- Impactful Substitutes: Simeone’s tactical brilliance was evident once again. Alvarez, Sorloth, and Correa each have six goals as substitutes this season, giving the coach plenty of selection headaches ahead of the Madrid derby.
What’s Next for Atletico Madrid?
Having booked their spot in the Copa del Rey semi-finals for the second consecutive season, Atletico Madrid will now shift their focus to La Liga. They face arch-rivals Real Madrid in a high-stakes derby on Saturday—a match that could have significant implications in the title race.
With their attacking unit firing on all cylinders and momentum firmly on their side, Simeone’s men will head into the derby brimming with confidence.
Final Score:
Atletico Madrid 5-0 Getafe
(Goals: Simeone 8′, 17′; Lino 43′; Correa 78′; Sorloth 86′)
