Memphis Depay propelled Atletico Madrid into the Copa del Rey semi-finals with a decisive 1-0 victory over Sevilla on Thursday.
The Dutch forward, coming on as a substitute, netted a crucial goal in the closing moments, securing Atletico’s spot alongside Real Sociedad, Athletic Bilbao, and Real Mallorca in the last four.
Diego Simeone’s team faced early adversity when Antoine Griezmann missed a first-half penalty, but they persevered against the resilient Sevilla at the Metropolitano stadium.
Atletico had a tense moment towards the end when Pablo Barrios conceded a penalty, but the referee overturned the decision after a VAR review.
“Games against Sevilla are always hard, they were very solid in defence,” Simeone told Movistar. “This (win) gives us excitement and hope.”
Before the game, players observed a moment of silence to honour three Sevilla fans who tragically lost their lives in a morning traffic accident while en route to Madrid. Sevilla coach Quique Sanchez Flores expressed the opinion that the game should not have proceeded in light of the unfortunate incident.
“I’ve come to my press conference to give my condolences to Sevilla fans … we were playing on a day on which we should have been holding vigil over people who had been coming to this game, it’s very sad,” he said, not taking any questions.
Sevilla defender Sergio Ramos, previously the captain of Atletico’s rivals Real Madrid, faced jeers from the outset and came close to silencing them as he narrowly missed reaching a free kick.
Despite struggling in La Liga, Sanchez Flores’ Sevilla made a strong start but conceded a penalty when Marcao clumsily fouled Nahuel Molina. However, Griezmann slipped as he took the shot, sending the ball wildly off target.
Sevilla adopted a defensive stance to frustrate the hosts, who struggled to create clear chances until late in the game.
Griezmann had a goal ruled out for offside before Simeone made a tactical change, substituting him and strike partner Alvaro Morata with Depay and Angel Correa in the 66th minute.
Depay’s initial goal was disallowed for offside, but he eventually broke the deadlock in the 79th minute. Correa made a skillful move from the right, delivering the ball into the area for Depay to poke home, capitalizing on the synergy between Simeone’s substitutes.
Ramos had a late chance to equalize but could only send the ball over from point-blank range in a desperate lunge.
In stoppage time, Atletico’s midfielder Barrios appeared to trip Erik Lamela on the edge of his own box, prompting the referee, Jesus Gil Manzano, to point to the penalty spot. However, VAR intervened, and after reviewing the incident, Gil Manzano changed his decision, sparing Barrios and Atletico from conceding a late penalty.
Sevilla players expressed their discontent with the referee at the conclusion of the match.
“If I say what I think, I’ll be banned for two or three months, I prefer not to speak,” said Sevilla defender Marcao.
Celebrating with exuberance, Atletico coach Simeone joyfully punched the air while sprinting down the tunnel.
Goalkeeper Jan Oblak of the Rojiblancos expressed confidence, asserting that he was certain it was not a penalty.