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Fernando Torres scored a brace against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu to help Atletico Madrid qualify for the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey. Both the teams named strong line-ups for this Round of 16 tie in the Cup match.
Before the match, the Madrid players were presented with the awards they won at the Ballon d’Or ceremony. However, after the whistle it was all Atletico as they took the lead in the first minute itself. Torres scored the goal, which is the fastest ever Atletico goal at the Bernabeu – 46 seconds. The goal meant Real had to score 4 unanswered goals to qualify for the next round.
Sergio Ramos got the comeback underway when he headed the ball into an empty net after Jan Oblak made an error in judging the ball and crashed into his own player. Atletico were sitting back absorbing the Real Madrid pressure till the end of the half and did well as they went into the break level on the day, but leading 3-1 on aggregate.
The second half started similarly as Torres scored in the first minute after the break to bring the aggregate score to 4-1 and leave Real with a near-impossible task.
Newly-crowned Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo levelled the scores with an unorthodox header to give faint hope to the Madridistas. Torres was withdrawn right after the Real goal to a rousing applause by the Atletico fans who had made the short journey to the Bernabeu.
The chances were coming for Atletico, however, as they defended and attacked as a team, but the winning goal was elusive. Real Madrid didn’t create many chances as their players tired at the end and were unable to trouble an energetic Atletico side.
The Bernabeu crowd petered out towards the end and the referee brought the proceedings to a close to signal Real Madrid’s defence of the Copa del Rey to an early end.
Real Madrid 0-1 Atletico Madrid: Fernando Torres (1’)
Torres scored his first goal for Atletico in his second spell at the Madrid-based club. In a quick counter-attack, Antoine Griezmann beat an on-rushing Pepe and ran through on goal. His pass perfectly set up Torres for a shot on his left foot and the striker did not disappoint with a brilliant finish into the top corner.
Real Madrid 1-1 Atletico Madrid: Sergio Ramos (20’)
After a controversial free-kick was awarded to Real Madrid, Toni Kroos stepped up to take it. The German sent in a cross towards Ramos who headed into an empty goal after Jan Oblak rushed into Diego Godin and was left on the ground.
Real Madrid 1-2 Atletico Madrid: Fernando Torres (46’)
The start of the second half saw Torres restore Atletico’s advantage within 35 seconds. Antoine Griezmann provided the assist again and Torres’ fake got him free from Pepe. His shot hit the outstretched leg of Keylor Navas and rolled in, to the delight of the travelling supporters.
Real Madrid 2-2 Atletico Madrid: Cristiano Ronaldo (54’)
The three-time Ballon d’Or winner levelled things once again for Real Madrid with a brilliant header after Gareth Bale’s cross. Ronaldo was the first to read the cross and ran ahead of his marker and jumped high to head the ball into the far corner.
