Super Eagles forward, Ademola Lookman, enjoyed a dream debut for Atletico Madrid, registering a goal and an assist as the Spanish giants swept aside Real Betis 5-0 to book a place in the Copa del Rey semi-finals.
David Hancko, Giuliano Simeone, Antoine Griezmann and Thiago Almada also got on the scoresheet as Diego Simeone’s side completed the final four lineup.
Hancko opened the scoring in the 12th minute, sneaking in unmarked at the near post to nod Koke’s corner beyond the helpless Adrian.
Lookman was lively from the start but wasted two clear chances before Simeone stretched to guide Matteo Rugari’s low cross into the net around the half-hour mark.
The Nigerian attacker made amends seven minutes later. He combined cleverly with Pablo Barrios on a quick counterattack, skipped past two Betis defenders and bundled his effort into the bottom-left corner.
Betis made three changes at the break in search of a response, and Abde Ezzalzouli tested Juan Musso with a sharp effort, but the visitors failed to build sustained pressure.
Griezmann then made it four in the 62nd minute, smashing a powerful shot past Adrian after Lookman set him up inside the area.
Almada rounded off the scoring late on, reacting quickest after Griezmann’s low drive was spilled by the goalkeeper to tap in the rebound in the 83rd minute.
Lookman has now become the first Atletico player to make a starting debut against a LaLiga side with both a goal and an assist in any competition since the 2013-14 season.
His performance was influential throughout, as he recorded the highest number of shots (five), touches in the opposition box (nine) and passes in the final third (20) for Atletico.
He also contributed 1.31 expected goals (xG) from Atletico’s overall 2.85, while Betis managed just 0.85 xG at the other end.
The victory extends Atletico’s dominance over Betis in the competition, with the Madrid side now unbeaten in their last six Copa del Rey knockout ties against them, recording seven wins and four draws.
