The last match of the Copa del Rey quarter-finals brought together two teams with different objectives, but both with clear ambition in the competition. Betis, playing at home in a single-leg tie, knew they had a real opportunity to reach the semi-finals. Atlético Madrid arrived under pressure from a season swinging between acceptable and disappointing, looking in the cup for a competitive statement that has been missing on other fronts.
And the start even gave the feeling that Betis wanted to take the game on with personality. High lines, active pressing, an attempt to recover quickly and break in transition. It wasn’t suicidal pressure, but it wasn’t passive either. It was a brave Betis.
The problem is that courage without control against a team comfortable attacking depth can turn into self-sabotage.
Atlético began finding space exactly where they wanted it: behind the defensive line. Lookman, making his debut, understood that early. Constantly attacking space, offering runs, forcing the defence to run backwards.
The first goal comes from a move that symbolises the game well. A driven cross to the near post, a deflection along the way and Adrián unable to react. A somewhat chaotic moment, but one that already rewarded an Atlético more present in the final third. Betis didn’t drop back. They kept relatively high lines and that opened the game even more for a team looking to transition.
The second goal is well-executed wing play. Progression down the left, Ruggeri reaches the byline and cuts it back into the six-yard box where Giuliano Simeone arrives with perfect timing. Simple, effective, devastating for Betis emotionally.
Lookman, increasingly free, began to take on defenders 1v1, provoke fouls, create individual superiority. And the technical moment of the night belongs to him. Fast counter-attack, combination with Barrios, reception on the left, cuts inside, unbalances the defender and finishes with class. A goal that mixes explosiveness, technique and composure. A debut with a personal signature. The brilliant detail of the move, Griezmann’s backheel splitting two markers, also sums up Atlético’s level of comfort in the game.
At half-time, the 0-3 left no doubts. It wasn’t just efficiency. It was emotional, tactical and spatial control.
In the second half, Betis tried to offer a response of pride. Abde had a good attempt, the team pushed their lines up a little, but the feeling was clear: any loss of possession could turn into another lethal counter-attack.
Lookman again carries in transition, fixes defenders, waits for the moment and releases Griezmann, who finishes inside the box. Adrián still gets a touch, but without enough strength. The fourth goal killed any remaining hope.
From there, the game went into exhibition mode. Atlético with the ball in the attacking half, exchanging passes calmly, while Betis were already showing physical and mental fatigue. Images of fans leaving the stadium in the 66th minute say everything about what was happening on the pitch.
There was still time to complete the rout. Another transition, Griezmann involved, shot saved and Almada arrives to finish the rebound. The 0-5 wasn’t exaggerated, it was an honest reflection of the difference between the teams on the night.
Post-game
A heavy result, but above all symbolic. Atlético Madrid didn’t just win, they made a statement. It was a big-team knockout performance: clinical when it had to be, mature in management and lethal in transitions.
Lookman couldn’t have asked for a better debut. Goal, assist, constant imbalance and direct impact on the attacking plan. He gives Atlético something they don’t always have: vertical speed with dribbling included.
Griezmann was once again the competitive brain of the team. He participates, creates, decides and shows up at the right moments.
For Betis, it’s a hard lesson. The initial courage was admirable, but the management of depth was poor. A line too high against an opponent built to attack space ended up accelerating their own downfall.
A tie decided without debate and an Atlético Madrid that moves on to face Athletic Club with renewed confidence, perhaps in their best emotional moment of recent weeks.