Striker Alexander Sørloth scored a brace in Atlético Madrid’s easy 4-0 win at second-tier side Elche on Wednesday to book Diego Simeone’s team a spot in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals.
It was Atlético’s 15th consecutive victory in all competitions, extending the longest winning streak in club history.
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Atlético didn’t miss a beat despite their Argentine manager deciding to rest several key starters at an in-form Elche, who were unbeaten since early in November, winning six of their last seven games.
With the likes of Antoine Griezmann, Julián Álvarez, Rodrigo de Paul and Jan Oblak on the bench, Atletico dominated proceedings and were never in danger, showing the same solidity in defence and effectiveness up-front that has lifted them to the top of the LaLiga standings, ahead of Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Sørloth opened the scoring in the eighth minute, striking a loose ball from close range. He extended Atlético’s lead from the penalty spot after winger Samuel Lino was fouled inside the box in the 29th minute.
Elche were reduced to ten men when Nico Mercau received a second booking in the 50th minute. Atleti substitute Rodrigo Riquelme scored the third with a long-range strike in the 61st, with Julian Alvarez also coming off the bench to wrap up the win 14 minutes later.
“I am cautious about saving players’ energy. We had to win to go through and I trusted players who I thought could give us the chance to continue in the same vein as the team,” Simeone told TVE.
“I told them before the game that they’ve been working very well and that’s why we understood that the team that started gave us the option of going through. We played with humility against a team that plays well in the second division.
“I felt good energy within the team. Luckily those players were able to show work, effort, humility, perseverance, accepting the place they have within the team. That will make us compete better and it will make it difficult for me to choose moving forward.”
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