Atletico Madrid gave themselves an unassailable four-goal advantage heading back to Madrid for the second leg of their Copa del Rey Round of 16 encounter with third division side Lleida Esportiu on Wednesday. Diego Godin and Fernando Torres opened the scoring in the first half, and then Lleida had to contend with second half substitute appearances from both Diego Costa and Antoine Griezmann, both furthering Los Colchoneros’ advantage.
It was, of course, Costa’s first match since returning to the club from Chelsea. He’s been training with the side for months, but he wasn’t able to officially register and play due to Atletico’s transfer ban until Jan. 1. If we know anything about the Spanish international, he’ll be despotically pleased about re-opening his Atletico account so soon.
Godin opened the scoring in the 33rd minute with a pretty spectacular snapped header. There’s crazy accuracy and power on this boy, all generated by the Uruguayan’s neck muscles.
Gooooooooool del @atleti, goooooooooool de cabeza de @DiegoGodin cuando sufría el cuadro colchonero resuelve el uruguayo con un cabezazo #LleidaAtleti pic.twitter.com/VBpLPyjcSg
— beIN SPORTS Español (@ESbeINSPORTS) January 3, 2018
Torres added the second in the 37th, but he does appear to be offside.
Rápido llegó el segundo, goooooooooooooool del @atleti, gooool de @Torres que cierra al pinza y duplica la ventaja colchonera #LleidaAtleti pic.twitter.com/R3LASwBlKI
— beIN SPORTS Español (@ESbeINSPORTS) January 3, 2018
Enter Costa and his magic moment in the 69th minute (nice).
Goooooooooooool y lesión de @DiegoCosta, el delantero colchonero en su regreso marca y está dolido luego de hacer su primer gol en su regreso al @atleti #LleidaAtleti pic.twitter.com/NYWYmX61O2
— beIN SPORTS Español (@ESbeINSPORTS) January 3, 2018
In the 92nd, Griezy Spice added the fourth with a heavily deflected free kick.
Gooooooooool, muy mala suerte para el @Lleida_Esportiu, @AntoGriezmann remató en un tiro libre y el desvió se fue al fondo para el cuarto del @atleti #LleidaAtleti pic.twitter.com/T1HUdLlIs0
— beIN SPORTS Español (@ESbeINSPORTS) January 3, 2018
Costa and Atletico return to action with a home league match against Getafe of Jan. 6 before closing out their Round of 16 matchup with Lleida on Jan. 9.