A tense and dramatic encounter at the Civitas Metropolitano witnessed Atletico de Madrid secure a narrow 1-0 victory vs Sevilla in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals, booking their ticket to the last four with a late strike from Dutch forward Memphis Depay.
The "Atletico de Madrid vs Sevilla" clash was a tightly contested affair throughout, with both sides showcasing defensive resilience and tactical nous. Atletico, fueled by home advantage, dominated the first half but saw their early dominance thwarted by Antoine Griezmann's missed penalty. The Frenchman slipped at the crucial moment, sending his spot-kick wide after being fouled in the box.
The second half continued the "Atletico de Madrid vs Sevilla" narrative of near misses and VAR interventions. Griezmann thought he had redeemed himself after the hour mark, but his goal was chalked off for offside. Depay, the hero of the night, also had a breakaway effort ruled out shortly after.
Just when the game seemed destined for a penalty shootout, a moment of magic arrived in the 79th minute. Angel Correa, with a deft touch, threaded a through ball that sliced through Sevilla's defense, finding its way between the legs of veteran defender Sergio Ramos. The perfectly-weighted pass landed at the feet of Depay, who made no mistake, slotting the ball past Marko Dmitrović to erupt the Wanda Metropolitano.
The goal sparked a late flurry of Sevilla pressure, culminating in a controversial penalty claim denied to Erik Lamela after a VAR check. The referee, after consulting the pitchside monitor, deemed the contact insufficient for a spot-kick, sending Sevilla's hopes crashing down.
Atletico's 1-0 win in the "Atletico de Madrid vs Sevilla" showdown marks their third consecutive Copa del Rey semifinal and sets up a tantalizing encounter in the next round. They join Athletic Bilbao, Real Sociedad, and Mallorca in the last four, each with their own ambitions of lifting the coveted trophy.
For Atletico Madrid, the Copa del Rey presents a welcome change of pace after a rollercoaster start to the league campaign. While their La Liga aspirations remain uncertain, Diego Simeone's men will undoubtedly relish the opportunity to bring the prestigious cup back to the Wanda Metropolitano.
The "Atletico de Madrid vs Sevilla" clash marked yet another chapter in the gripping Copa del Rey saga, reminding fans of the cup's ability to produce late-game drama and unexpected heroes. With four semifinalists locked in and anticipation brewing, the race for the 2024 Copa del Rey is well and truly on.
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img via: Cordon Press