Griezmann seals Copa del Rey passage for Atleti
Antoine Griezmann's first-half goal was enough to earn Atletico Madrid a 1-0 win at third-tier Marbella and send his side into the Copa del Rey Round of 16.
The Frenchman scored after just 16 minutes, tapping in a rebound after Marbella goalkeeper Daniel Martin had blocked Giuliano Simeone's close-range attempt.
Rodrigo De Paul thought he had extended the advantage early in the second half but saw his goal disallowed for a handball in the build-up, while Conor Gallagher's curling effort struck the post just past the hour mark.
Marbella did improve in the second half, albeit without posing too much of a threat, but stopped Atletico from posting a more convincing victory.
The visitors did have chances to close out the game late on, but Angel Correa and Alexander Sorloth both fired shots narrowly wide and into the side netting without testing Martin.
This was just the second time the two sides have met in the Copa del Rey, with Atletico winning both matches in the fourth round of the 2010 edition by an aggregate score of 8-0.
Atletico has now won each of its past 13 games in all competitions, equalling the best consecutive winning streak in the club's history.
Griezmann said after the match he hopes the wins will keep on coming for Atletico.
"We are doing well," the Frenchman said. "The holiday was good for us and since then it has been a tough week of training.
"Now we have to improve things and keep dreaming."
Head coach Simeone was not in the dugout against Marbella after his red card for complaining during his team's 2-1 win at Cacereno in the previous round.
It was therefore Atletico assistant Nelson Vivas who undertook post-match media duties.
"We are living this run of wins with calm and with humility," he said. "We are focusing more at the moment on the things we can do better in each of the matches.
"But we are satisfied and happy, not only for the series of victories, but also for the qualification and the chance to continue in this competition."
Atletico, second in LaLiga and two points behind Real Madrid with a game in hand, hosts Osasuna next weekend as it bids to extend its impressive winning streak.
