After the defeat suffered at the Wanda Metropolitano, Atlético Madrid presented itself at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán with the mission of reversing the 2-1 disadvantage and qualifying for the Copa del Rey semifinals. The emotional spectacle that the Sevilla fans put on before the clash represented the difficulty imposed on Diego Simeone's team in Andalusia.
The threat materialized 25 seconds into the show. Montella's team hit the net in the first dangerous action and struck a rival who seemed defeated before stepping onto the field. Pablo Sarabia's cross and Sergio Escudero's finish sealed the conquest that left Moyá without a response. Atletico's fate seemed very dark in southern Spain.
However, the individual quality of the capital team served to level the score. A beautiful shot by Antoine Griezmann surprised Sergio Rico and the ball hid above the local goalkeeper. With 1-1, the match took on another meaning, as Cholo's team only needed one more goal to equalize the series.
As if it were a repeated scene, in the second half Sevilla struck again soon after the start. Although in that second occasion it was due to a controversial penalty, Éver Banega did not hesitate to convert with a precise touch to the left post of Moyá and celebrate what already seemed to be the ticket to the next round.
Taking advantage of the desperate attempts of the capital combine, Sevilla sealed their qualification with a perfect counterattack led by Pablo Sarabia. Waiting for what happens in the other ties, Montella's team entered the phase of the top four and dreams of becoming the kings of Spain. On the other hand, Atlético Madrid suffered another harsh elimination (the other one was in the Champions League) and, far from challenging Barcelona in the League, the only consolation for the Red and Whites is the Europa League.
Stadium: Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán
QUARTER-FINALS SCHEDULE
Wednesday:
Real Madrid (1) - Leganés (0)
Alavés (1) - Valencia (2)
Thursday:
Barcelona (0) - Espanyol (1)