Atletico Madrid advance to Copa del Rey semis with Eibar draw

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:49 am

MADRID -- Atletico Madrid are back in the semifinals of the Copa del Rey after being eliminated in the quarterfinals for the last two seasons, holding on for a 2-2 draw at Eibar to advance 5-2 on aggregate.

Atletico took the lead with a header by Uruguay defender Jose Gimenez in the 49th minute, but the hosts rallied with goals by Sergi Enrich in the 73rd and Pedro Leon in the 80th. Enrich's neat volley from inside the area was set up by Leon only a few seconds after both players had entered the match as second-half substitutes.

Juanfran scored Atletico's second goal with a lob over the goalkeeper in the 85th.

Atletico, who are trying to win the Copa del Rey for the first time since 2013, were eliminated by Celta Vigo in the quarterfinals last season, and by Barcelona at the same stage in the previous year.

Atletico Madrid advanced to the Copa del Rey semifinals on Wednesday.
Atletico Madrid advanced to the Copa del Rey semifinals on Wednesday.
ANDER GILLENEA/AFP/Getty Images

Eibar were playing in the Copa quarterfinals for the first time.

Two-time defending champion Barcelona will try to reach the semifinals for the seventh straight season on Thursday when they host Real Sociedad. The Catalan club won the first leg 1-0.

On Tuesday, Alaves advanced 2-0 on aggregate by drawing second-division club Alcorcon at home, reaching the semifinals for the first time in 13 years.