Atletico Madrid booked their place in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals with a narrow 1-0 victory over Deportivo La Coruña at the Estadio de Riazor. Diego Simeone’s side were made to work hard, but a moment of quality proved enough in a contest that followed the script many expected going in.
SoftFootball had previewed the tie as one Atletico would aim to control despite the hostile setting. The match was finely balanced until the hour mark, when Antoine Griezmann delivered the decisive moment. The French forward stepped up to a free kick in the 61st minute and curled a stunning effort into the net, a goal widely described as a ‘golazo’.
It was the breakthrough Atletico needed after a first half where chances came but finishes did not. Griezmann himself had already struck the crossbar, while Matteo Ruggeri also rattled the post as the visitors pushed for control.
The win, which was shared on the club’s official X account, offered a timely lift following recent setbacks, including their narrow Supercopa defeat to Real Madrid in the semi-final of the Supercopa de España.
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Deportivo La Coruña, however, refused to fold. The hosts showed courage and energy, especially before the break, forcing Atletico to stay alert. Zakaria Eddahchouri tested Juan Musso with a close-range header, while Charlie Patino later went close as Deportivo looked for a way back into the tie.
Despite enjoying less possession, the home side made their moments count and kept the pressure on until late in the game. Simeone reacted just before the goal with a triple substitution, introducing Alexander Sørloth, Thiago Almada, and Pablo Barrios to freshen up Atletico’s attack and midfield balance.
Those changes helped steady the game after Griezmann’s strike, even as Deportivo threw on attacking options of their own in search of an equaliser. In the end, Atletico’s experience told.
They saw out the final minutes with composure, preserving a clean sheet and extending their dominant Copa del Rey record against Deportivo. It was not flashy, but it was effective, and Atletico move on knowing tougher tests still lie ahead.
