Simeone stars as Atleti thrashes Getafe in Copa
Giuliano Simeone's first-half brace helped Atletico Madrid into the Copa del Rey semi-finals after it thrashed Getafe 5-0 at the Metropolitano.
Atletico has now not lost or conceded a goal in its three Copa del Rey meetings against Getafe, and was a worthy winner after a rampant showing.
Atletico edged in front in the eighth minute when Javi Galan’s cross from the left-hand side was headed into the bottom corner by Simeone.
The Argentinean doubled his tally nine minutes later, rounding off a blistering counter-attack with a low finish past Jiri Letacek after good work from Julian Alvarez.
Alvarez was involved once again in Atletico’s third just before the break, slipping in Samuel Lino, who sat down Juan Iglesias before rolling a right-footed finish into the net.
Simeone thought he had completed his hat-trick shortly after the break, but his 49th-minute goal was ruled out for offside before being replaced by Cesar Azpilicueta.
Atletico had to wait until the 78th minute for its fourth, with substitute Angel Correa firing home from distance after collecting Conor Gallagher's pass just outside the box.
Alexander Sorloth concluded the scoring four minutes from time, combining well with Correa after a mistake from Domingos Duarte with a neat finish past Letacek.
Having secured a spot in the semi-finals for the second consecutive season, Atletico turns its attentions to LaLiga, where it faces leaders Real Madrid on Sunday (AEDT).
