Fernando Torres scores as Atletico Madrid complete Copa rout

Atletico Madrid moved into the fifth round of the Copa del Rey with minimal fuss, beating Guijuelo 4-1 at the Vicente Calderon to complete a 10-1 aggregate win.

Fernando Torres was handed a rare starting place by Diego Simeone and found the net for the first time in three months, with Angel Correa, Nico Gaitan and Juanfran also finding the net for the home side.

The third tier side were reduced to 10 men after just 33 minutes, but they refused to fold, grabbing a consolation goal in the second half. And what a goal it was, with Pinto looping a header over Miguel Moya in the Atletico Madrid goal.

But Simeone’s side were never under any real pressure and took their foot off the gas in the second half, perhaps wary of inflicting too much damage on their 10-man third tier opposition. Nonetheless, this was a strong performance by Atleti to finish the year on.

Should Copa del Rey ties be one-legged at this stage? This was as good as a dead rubber before a ball had even been kicked tonight. Atletico Madrid won the first leg 6-0 and were never in any danger of losing that lead to lower league opposition. So should Copa del Rey ties be one-legged at this stage of the competition? That would increase the likelihood of upsets, eliminating these non-events from the football calendar. The case for the prosecution is building.

Nico Gaitan (Atletico Madrid): The Argentine has struggled to make an impression at Atletico Madrid since making the move from Benfica in the summer, but Gaitan was the best player on the pitch against Guijuelo. He created one and scored one himself, generally providing an effective attacking outlet throughout the match. Sure, it was against lower league opposition, but Gaitan made his case.

Atletico Madrid: Moya 5, Vrsaljko 6, Savic 6, Lucas 6, Giménez 5, Juanfran 7, Saul 7, Thomas 7, Gaitan 8, Correa 7, Torres 7.

Guijuelo: Morales 6, Ruiz 4, Hector 5, Martin 6, Sanchez 5, Alvaro 7, Martinez 5, Carmona 6, Julia 6, Fernandez 5, Dimas 5.

17’ - GOAL! Atletico Madrid 1-0 Guijuelo: There's opening goal of the night! Correa and Thomas broke into the penalty box, setting up Gaitan for the curling shot into the far corner of the net. Good finish.

23’ - GOAL! Atletico Madrid 2-0 Guijuelo: There's the second goal of the game for the home side! Gaitan's header hit the crossbar and Correa was on hand to tuck home the rebound.

30’ - GOAL! Atletico Madrid 3-0 Guijuelo: There's another goal for Atletico Madrid! Correa played a well-timed pass into Juanfranl, who took the ball in his stride and smashed a finish in at the near post.

33’ - SENT OFF! Raul Ruiz (Guijuelo): Things are going from bad to worse for the away side. They have just been reduced to 10 men, with Raul shown a second yellow card. This is getting ugly.

45’ - GOAL! Atletico Madrid 4-0 Guijuelo: Torres has his goal right on the stroke of half time. He was put through on goal by a couple of deflections and scooped the ball over the advancing goalkeeper to make it 4-0.

80’ - GOAL! Atletico Madrid 4-1 Guijuelo: The minnows have a goal to show for their efforts. Alvaro crossed the ball into the penalty area and Pinto was on hand to loop a header over Moya in the Atletico goal.

Alessio Cerci hadn’t played for Atletico Madrid in over two years before coming on against Guijuelo.

Fernando Torres scored his first goal for Atletico Madrid in over three months against Guijuelo.