Fernando Torres struck twice to reaffirm his place in Atletico Madrid hearts and send arch-rivals Real Madrid crashing out of the Copa del Rey.
Sky Bet
The former Liverpool and Chelsea striker scored his first two goals since rejoining his boyhood club as Atleti claimed a 2-2 draw at the Bernabeu to reach the last eight of the competition, and a meeting with Barcelona, thanks to a 4-2 aggregate success.
Torres found the net in the first minute of each half to end any hopes of a fightback from the reigning world and European club champions.
Real replied to each goal with equalisers from Sergio Ramos and Cristiano Ronaldo but it was not enough for the La Liga leaders.
Torres immediately punctured what had been a vibrant atmosphere, fuelled by Ronaldo’s parading of the Ballon d’Or trophy before kick-off, by sweeping home Antoine Griezmann’s cross with less than a minute gone.
Real responded well, with Ronaldo denied at close range before Ramos planted a firm header past Jan Oblak.
Ronaldo had another effort blocked and also headed wide from a Gareth Bale cross as Atleti were extended at the back.
Real might have looked to step up further after the break but again they were stung within a minute of kick-off as Ramos gifted possession to Griezmann who quickly fed Torres, who wrongfooted Pepe and finished coolly, albeit with a helpful deflection off keeper Keylor Navas.
Again Real responded, Ronaldo heading home Bale’s cross eight minutes later, but the task was beyond Carlo Ancelotti’s men, who have not beaten Atleti in five attempts since last season’s Champions League final.
