Elche 0 Atlético Madrid 4
Alexander Sørloth delivered a standout performance on Wednesday, scoring twice in Atlético Madrid’s commanding 4-0 victory over second-tier side Elche. The win secured Diego Simeone’s team a place in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals and marked their 15th consecutive victory across all competitions, extending their record-breaking winning streak.
Despite fielding a rotated squad, Simeone’s side maintained their dominance against an Elche team that had been in fine form, going unbeaten since early November and winning six of their previous seven matches. Key players such as Antoine Griezmann, Julián Álvarez, Rodrigo de Paul, and Jan Oblak were rested, but Atlético’s depth and quality shone through, displaying the defensive solidity and clinical finishing that have propelled them to the top of the LaLiga standings, ahead of Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Sørloth opened the scoring in the eighth minute, pouncing on a loose ball to fire home from close range. He doubled Atlético’s lead in the 29th minute from the penalty spot after winger Samuel Lino was fouled in the box.
Elche’s challenge was further undermined in the 50th minute when Nico Mercau received a second yellow card, reducing the hosts to ten men. Atlético capitalized on their numerical advantage, with substitute Rodrigo Riquelme adding a spectacular third goal from long range in the 61st minute. Fellow substitute Julián Álvarez completed the rout 14 minutes later, capping a dominant performance.
Image courtesy – https://www.atleticodemadrid.com/
