Atlético Madrid fans were left buzzing after a ruthless 5-0 demolition of Real Betis in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals yesterday, a performance that felt like more than just qualification for the semifinals.
As reported by SoftFootball, the win was built on intensity, control, and a statement debut from Ademola Lookman, whose goal and assist underlined why Atlético pushed hard to complete his move just days earlier. The emphatic result sent Diego Simeone’s side into the last four alongside Barcelona, Real Sociedad, and Athletic Club.
Much of the online reaction focused on Lookman’s immediate impact, which fans saw as a turning point in Atlético’s attacking identity. Having already spoken about joining what he called a very special club, as covered by SoftFootball earlier this week, the Nigerian forward backed up those words with action.
His opening goal set the tone, and his assist before halftime ensured the tie was effectively over long before the final whistle. On X, @globalwises highlighted the wider significance of Lookman’s arrival beyond the pitch.
The user was pointing to the commercial and cultural pull Atlético now have in Nigeria, suggesting the club can leverage this momentum against Spain’s traditional giants.
In his words:
Game on now you have a huge fanbase in Nigeria deal with Real Madrid and Barcelona for us.
Jekson reacted with disbelief at the scoreline itself, challenging a long-held stereotype about Simeone’s team. The comment reflected surprise at Atlético’s attacking output rather than just defensive solidity.
He wrote:
I thought they said Atleti doesn’t score a lot of goals?
Some supporters focused on how quickly Lookman has become central to Atlético’s image. Simultaneous observed the club’s social media output, implying that the winger is already being positioned as a long-term project and a face of the team.
He wrote:
Every single picture that athletico has posted has involved lookman, they are not letting him go anytime soon.
Others framed Lookman’s performance as a tactical revelation for Simeone. @UTDKara suggested the Argentine coach finally has a profile he previously lacked: someone fearless in one-on-one situations and capable of unsettling defences.
As he puts it:
Diego Simeone didn’t believe he could have a player like Lookman someone actually dribbling and turning defenders up and down.
There was also admiration for the on-field chemistry forming around him. @PoojaMedia, reacting to Antoine Griezmann’s visible delight during the game, suggested even the club’s talisman is surprised by the quality added to the squad
He wrote:
Griezmann couldn’t believe his lucky playing with Ademola Lookman.
By full-time, this felt like more than a big win. For Atlético fans, it was a glimpse of a side evolving, blending Simeone’s edge with new attacking freedom, and Lookman stood firmly at the heart of that excitement.
