Torres scored twice to turn Real into former champions

The former Liverpool and Chelsea striker shone in the second leg of the Copa del Rey last 16, helping Atletico Madrid progress 4-2 on aggregate.

Fernando Torres begins to revive in Atletico shirt. Photo: Reuters

Fernando Torres poured two "cold water" on the home team Real Madrid in the first minutes of each half, making Atletico Madrid's task of winning a ticket to the next round easier. Meanwhile, the team that won the King's Cup last season could only chase and get two goals back thanks to headers from Sergio Ramos and Cristiano Ronaldo - the player who just won the 2014 Ballon d'Or.

With a 2-2 draw at the Bernabeu, Atletico convincingly eliminated Real with a final score of 4-2. Coach Diego Simeone's team not only continued their unbeaten streak against their city rivals this season (winning three and drawing two) but also avenged their defeat in the semi-finals of the King's Cup last season.

In fact, Atletico did not use their strongest squad for the second leg.Torres is currently only the second choice in attack after Mario Mandzukic, while two mainstays Gabi and Arda Turan are not on the starting field.

Atletico's excellent form is largely down to youngster Antoine Griezmann. The striker dribbled past Pepe in the 50th second before crossing for Torres to flick into the top corner to open the scoring.

Real responded strongly afterwards. Pepe and Bale repeatedly had header opportunities in front of Atletico's goal but failed to capitalize. It was not until Sergio Ramos came forward that the home team had their first equaliser. A large part of the blame for this situation belonged to goalkeeper Jan Oblak when he misjudged Toni Kroos' free kick. Thanks to that, Ramos easily jumped high to head the ball into the empty goal.

Real Madrid players show off the trophies they received at the FIFA awards ceremony a few days ago. Photo: AFP.

Things could have turned around for Real if Ronaldo had taken advantage of his chance in the 24th minute. Goalkeeper Oblak missed his chance, but CR7's rebound shot could not beat defender Diego Godin's save.

The lack of sharp finishing in front of Atletico's goal indirectly made Real pay the price. In the 46th minute, Torres scored the decisive goal in the second leg by dribbling past Pepe and shooting the ball off goalkeeper Keylor Navas' foot and into the net. This goal forced Real into the impossible task of scoring four goals in return if they wanted to reach the quarter-finals.

Real only managed a quarter of the job when Ronaldo headed home Bale's cross to level the score at 2-2 in the 54th minute. Striker Karim Benzema could have given the hosts a consolation victory had he not missed a great chance with a shot high into the air from just three metres out.

Atletico once again defeated Real, although in terms of potential, they are far behind their city rivals. Photo: AP.

Arda Turan came on for Torres late in the game, giving Real's defence more work to do, while coach Carlo Ancelotti did not bring on any more attackers even after Pepe was injured.

In the quarter-finals, Atletico will face Barcelona - who have also qualified thanks to a 9-0 aggregate win over Elche.

Second leg result: Real 2-2 Atletico (first leg 0-2)

Goals: Ramos 20', Ronaldo 54' - Torres 1', 46'

According to VNE