Atletico out of Copa, but Real go through despite defeat
Atletico Madrid crashed out of the Copa del Rey to Girona yesterday morning (Singapore time) following a highly entertaining 3-3 draw at home to the Catalan side, who sneaked through to the quarter-finals on away goals after the tie finished 4-4 on aggregate.
Atletico substitute Antoine Griezmann looked to have completed a late turnaround for Diego Simeone's side, who were trailing 2-1 in the second half, when he put the hosts 3-2 up in the 84th minute.
Yet Girona forward Seydou Doumbia delivered a final twist in the saga by scoring at the other end four minutes later.
But Real Madrid limped into the quarter-finals, losing 1-0 at Leganes with an another lacklustre performance yet advancing 3-1 on aggregate.
Danish forward Martin Braithwaite struck the only goal on the half-hour mark, knocking into an empty net from close range following a goalmouth scramble.
Leganes kept pushing for a second goal that would have put them back in contention in the tie, but were repeatedly thwarted by Real goalkeeper Keylor Navas and their own inadequacy. - REUTERS
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