Atlético Madrid Crushes Elche to Secure Copa Quarterfinals

Atlético Madrid showcased their dominance in a stellar 4-0 victory against Elche at the Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero, advancing to the Copa del Rey quarterfinals. The match highlighted Atlético's form, tactical precision, and depth as they continue to assert themselves as serious contenders in Spanish football.

The game kicked off with an aggressive start by Atlético. In the 8th minute, Alexander Sorloth capitalized on an early opportunity, striking a composed finish past Elche's goalkeeper Miguel San Román. This marked Atlético’s fastest goal in the Copa del Rey this season and set the tone for the rest of the match.

Elche struggled to cope with the visitors' relentless pressure, and their troubles deepened in the 28th minute. A foul on Samuel Lino by Elche defender Bambo Diaby led to a penalty, which Sorloth confidently converted to double Atlético’s lead, cementing his reputation as a reliable striker for the team.

The second half brought further challenges for Elche. Just five minutes after the restart, midfielder Nico Fernández was sent off following a second yellow card for a tactical foul on Rodrigo Riquelme. With a numerical advantage, Atlético pressed harder, and Riquelme himself delivered a stunning long-range strike in the 61st minute to extend the lead to 3-0.

Atlético's head coach, Diego Simeone, utilized his substitutions effectively, bringing on fresh legs to maintain momentum. In the 75th minute, substitute Julián Álvarez added the fourth goal with a sharp finish, showcasing the depth of Atlético’s attacking options and sealing the game in emphatic fashion.

Post-match, Simeone praised his team, saying, 'The players demonstrated remarkable discipline and executed our plan to perfection. Their focus and consistency are exactly what we need as we progress in this tournament.'

Elche's head coach, Eder Sarabia, acknowledged Atlético's superiority, stating, 'We managed to compete well until the red card, but Atlético is among the strongest teams in Europe, and their quality shone through.'

With this commanding performance, Atlético Madrid not only secured their spot in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals but also extended their impressive winning streak. Their form and confidence make them one of the favorites to lift the trophy this season.