DREAM DEBUT: LOOKMAN GOAL HELPS ATLÉTICO BOOK COPA DEL REY SEMIS SPOT
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By: Balogun Ibrahim
Diego Simeone’s Atlético Madrid have booked their place in the Copa del Rey semi-finals alongside holders Barcelona, 2024 champions Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad.
Atlético laid the foundation for victory with a blistering first-half display in Seville, surging into a commanding 3–0 lead through goals from David Hancko, Giuliano Simeone and debutant Ademola Lookman.
The 28-year-old Nigeria international completed a deadline-day move from Serie A side Atalanta for a reported fee of €40 million and wasted no time making his mark.
Crowned Africa’s Player of the Year in 2024, Lookman announced his arrival in style on 37 minutes, rounding two defenders before calmly slipping a low finish past goalkeeper Adrián to cap a swift counter-attack.
Antoine Griezmann sealed the quarter-final victory just after the hour mark, with Lookman once again showcasing his explosive pace on the break to set up the 2018 World Cup winner for a clinical left-footed finish.
Thiago Almada added a late goal to crown an impressive outing at La Cartuja for the La Liga third-placed side.
Elsewhere on Wednesday, Athletic Bilbao booked their place in the semi-finals thanks to a dramatic 96th-minute winner from Iñaki Williams, edging past struggling Valencia 2–1 in their quarter-final encounter.
Earlier in the contest, Sadiq Umar endured a mixed first half for the hosts, scoring at both ends before Williams’ dramatic late intervention decided the tie.
Basque rivals Real Sociedad also progressed to the semi-finals after edging neighbours Alavés 3–2 in a tightly contested quarter-final.
The visitors trailed 2–1 entering the final 15 minutes but turned the tie around through late strikes from Gonçalo Guedes and Orri Óskarsson.
Barcelona completed the semi-final line-up on Tuesday, with goals from Lamine Yamal and Ronald Araújo securing a nervy 2–1 victory away to second-tier Albacete.
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