Griezmann Free-Kick Sends Atletico Madrid Into Copa del Rey Quarter-Finals

Antoine Griezmann’s superb free-kick secured Atletico Madrid a 1-0 away victory over second-division side Deportivo La Coruña and booked Diego Simeone’s team a place in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey on Tuesday.

The France forward broke the deadlock in the 61st minute, curling a precise left-footed strike into the top-right corner from a set-piece.

“I didn’t know where to hit it — whether to go to the side of the goalkeeper or over him,” Griezmann said. “Instead of shooting with power, I tried to place it over the wall.”

The goal was Griezmann’s fifth in his last six appearances for Atletico, with the 34-year-old continuing to play a decisive role for Simeone’s side.

“Griezmann is a game-changer,” Atletico manager Diego Simeone said. “He still has that magical touch, the desire to compete and to help the team.”

The win ended a brief two-match winless run for Atletico, who had suffered a 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup semi-finals in Saudi Arabia before drawing 1-1 away at Real Sociedad in La Liga.

Atletico currently sit fourth in the Spanish league at the halfway stage of the season, 11 points behind leaders Barcelona.

The match was briefly halted around the 70th minute after Deportivo goalkeeper Germán Parreño suffered a cut to his mouth following a collision with Griezmann. After receiving treatment on the pitch, including stitches to his lip, Parreño was able to continue.

Elsewhere in the Copa del Rey, Real Sociedad eliminated Osasuna after winning 4-3 in a penalty shoot-out following a 2-2 draw after extra time.

Osasuna had taken an early two-goal lead, with Jon Moncayola scoring in the fourth minute before Mikel Oyarzabal inadvertently put through his own net in the 17th. Real Sociedad mounted a comeback as Beñat Turrientes struck in the 75th minute, while Igor Zubeldia forced extra time with an equaliser deep into stoppage time. Oyarzabal later missed a penalty during extra time.

Athletic Bilbao progressed with a dramatic 4-3 victory over second-division Cultural Leonesa despite playing with 10 men from the 56th minute following Aitor Paredes’ dismissal. Unai Gómez scored the decisive goal from the penalty spot late in the first half of extra time.

The sides had drawn 3-3 in regulation time after an entertaining first half in which both teams scored three times, with the hosts taking the lead on three occasions only for Athletic to respond each time.

The round of 16 continues on Wednesday, when Real Madrid visit second-tier side Albacete, while Barcelona travel to Racing Santander on Thursday. All ties at this stage are decided by single-elimination matches.