Ademola Lookman on Thursday scored on his Atletico Madrid debut in a 5-0 rout of Real Betis Balompie that sent Diego Simeone’s team to the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey.
David Hancko, Giuliano Simeone, Antoine Griezmann and Thiago Almada also scored for Atletico as they advanced to the last four for the third straight season.
Atletico are trying to reach their first Copa final since winning the competition in 2012-2013.
Photo: EPA
Hancko opened the scoring for the visitors in the 12th minute and Giuliano Simeone added to the lead in the 30th, before Lookman got his first goal for Atletico on a fast breakaway in the 37th.
“I’m very, very happy, very proud to make my debut tonight, a special performance from the team,” said Lookman, who had only a couple of training sessions before being added to the starting lineup. “Obviously, the team and the staff and everybody has welcomed me very nicely. It has made it easy for me to settle in.”
Griezmann scored the fourth goal in the 62nd minute from an assist by Lookman, and Almada closed the scoring in the 83rd.
“He came to help us and hopefully we can help him so he can continue to improve,” Atletico head coach Diego Simeone said of Lookman. “He has different qualities than the players we have and that will make us better.”
Lookman was signed from Atalanta BC near the end of the winter transfer window. The 28-year-old Nigeria forward had requested to leave Atalanta citing broken promises and poor treatment.
“We always open the doors to everyone who arrives here from the very beginning,” Griezmann said. “We have to enjoy these new player and hope that they help us like they did tonight.”
Mexico midfielder Obed Vargas also made his Atletico debut after being signed from the Seattle Sounders.
He came off the bench in the 79th minute to replace Lookman. Another winter signing by Atletico, midfielder Rodri Mendoza, came on in the 66th minute.
Atletico and Betis are to meet again tomorrow in La Liga, with Atletico the hosts. Atletico are third in the league, with Betis in fifth place, but 10 points behind.
Inaki Williams On Wednesday scored six minutes into stoppage-time as Athletic Bilbao won 2-1 at Valencia to reach their sixth Copa semi-final in seven seasons, while Basque Country rivals Real Sociedad made it to the last four for the third straight season by winning 3-2 at Deportivo Alaves.
Barcelona on Tuesday beat second-division Albacete Balompie 2-1. Albacete had eliminated Real Madrid in the round-of-16.
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