🇪🇸 Atlético Madrid ease past minnows Almazán in Copa del Rey | OneFootball

Atlético Madrid eased into the second round of the Copa del Rey with a routine win over minnows Almazán on Saturday night.

Scorers: Correa 35′, Félix 63′

The game was moved to Nuevo Estadio Los Pajaritos to accommodate the large crowd that would have been too much for Almazán’s La Arboleda home to deal with.

Lying fifth in LaLiga and out of Europe altogether after finishing bottom of their Champions League group, the cup offers Diego Simeone’s men their only realistic hope of silverware this season.

It was a good night for João Félix, with the Portugal star putting the speculation surrounding his future with Atleti to one side to play a central role.

The opening goal came 10 minutes before half time from a shot by the World Cup-bound 23-year-old, as his shot was too hot to handle for Almazán goalkeeper Alberto González.

That allowed Ángel Correa to pounce and convert the rebound from close range.

Los Rojiblancos dominated against their fifth-tier opposition, but it took until after the hour mark for them to double their lead.

Félix delivered the goods, making the most of a deflected pass to play a wall pass with Rodrigo De Paul and just about managing to sort out his feet before applying a tidy finish.

Due to the break for events in Qatar, Atlético will now not play again until they host Elche in the league on New Year’s Eve.