Antoine Griezmann’s perfectly placed free-kick proved decisive as Atletico Madrid secured a 1-0 victory over second-division Deportivo La Coruña on Tuesday, booking their spot in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals.
The 34-year-old forward broke the deadlock in the 61st minute, curling a left-foot shot into the top-right corner. “I wasn’t sure whether to aim at the side of the goalkeeper or over him,” Griezmann explained. “Instead of striking hard, I focused on placing it over the wall.”
This marked his fifth goal in six matches, highlighting his continued influence on the team.
Atletico coach Diego Simeone praised his star, saying, “Griezmann is a game-changer. He still has that magic touch and the drive to help the team.”
The win also ended a two-game winless streak for Atletico, who had fallen 2-1 to Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup semifinals in Saudi Arabia and drawn 1-1 at Real Sociedad in La Liga.
Atletico currently sits fourth in the league, 11 points adrift of leaders Barcelona at the season’s halfway point.
The match briefly paused around the 70th minute after Deportivo goalkeeper Germán Parreño suffered a cut on his mouth in a collision with Griezmann.
Team doctors treated him on the field, and he returned to continue the game.
Other Copa del Rey Round of 16 Highlights
In another thriller, Real Sociedad edged out Osasuna 4-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in regulation and extra time. Osasuna appeared in control early with Jon Moncayola scoring in the fourth minute, followed by an own goal from Mikel Oyarzabal in the 17th.
But Sociedad fought back with Beñat Turrientes’ 75th-minute equalizer and Igor Zubeldia’s stoppage-time goal to force extra time. Oyarzabal later missed a crucial penalty in the extra session.
Athletic Bilbao also advanced, overcoming second-division Cultural Leonesa 4-3 despite being reduced to 10 men after Aitor Paredes’ red card in the 56th minute.
Unai Gómez secured the winner with a penalty late in the first half of extra time, completing a dramatic comeback after the teams had exchanged goals three times in regulation.
The Copa del Rey round of 16 continues this week, with Real Madrid visiting Albacete on Wednesday and Barcelona taking on Racing on Thursday. All matches are single-elimination clashes.
