Atletico Madrid outplays Sevilla to reach Copa del Rey semis

Memphis Depay fired Atletico Madrid into the Copa del Rey semifinals by earning his team a 1-0 win over Sevilla on Thursday (Friday in Manila).

The Dutch forward, on as a substitute, prodded home in the final stages to help Atletico join Real Sociedad, Athletic Bilbao and Real Mallorca in the final four.

Antoine Griezmann skied a firsthalf penalty for Diego Simeone’s side who ground out their win against their resilient visitors at the Metropolitano stadium.

Atletico survived a late scare when Pablo Barrios conceded a penalty but the decision was overturned after the referee reviewed the incident with VAR.

“Games against Sevilla are always hard, they were very solid in defense,” Simeone told Movistar.

“This (win) gives us excitement and hope.”

Players observed a moment of silence before the game to pay respect to three Sevilla fans who died in the morning in a traffic accident on the way to Madrid.

Sevilla coach Quique Sanchez Flores said the game should not have taken place as a result.

“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, formerly captain of Atletico’s rivals Real Madrid, came in for jeers from the start and almost silenced them as he narrowly failed to reach a free kick.

Sanchez Flores’ Sevilla, struggling badly in La Liga, made a strong start but gave away a penalty when Marcao clumsily fouled Nahuel Molina.

However, Griezmann slipped as he shot, sending the ball wildly looping off target.

Sevilla sat deep to defend and frustrate the hosts, who failed to create any further clear chances until late on.

Griezmann had a goal ruled out for offside before Simeone took him and strike partner Alvaro Morata off after 66 minutes to shake up his attack, with Depay and Angel Correa coming on.