Atletico Madrid advanced to the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey following a narrow 1-0 victory over third-tier Marbella FC at La Rosaleda on January 4, 2025. The captain, Antoine Griezmann, was the hero of the match, scoring the decisive goal just 16 minutes after kickoff with a composed tap-in after Marbella's goalkeeper couldn’t hold Giuliano Simeone’s initial effort.
Despite Atletico’s dominance during the first half, including notable efforts from Rodrigo De Paul and Conor Gallagher, the visitors found it hard to extend their lead. De Paul's goal was disallowed due to a handball, and Gallagher was left frustrated after his curling shot hit the post shortly after the hour mark.
The match began with tension as fans gathered, and conflicts erupted outside the stadium between ultras from both sides, creating a shadow over the day. Eventually, peace was restored when supporters from both sides united to sing the popular tune "La gitana loca." This camaraderie inside La Rosaleda was complemented by the red-and-white colors of Atletico, establishing the atmosphere during the match.
On the field, Marbella FC, new to the Copa del Rey competition, showcased resilience and ambition, almost pulling off what would have been one of the biggest upsets of the tournament. Ohemeng proved to be a constant threat to Atletico’s backline, as he outpaced defenders like Javi Galán repeatedly.
Marbella’s confidence grew as they took charge of several chances before the halftime break, with Callejón performing remarkably well, forcing Atletico's goalkeeper, Musso, to make timely saves. Coach Fran Beltrán's team seemed poised to make their entry meaningful, leveraging multiple opportunities to challenge the scoreline.
Strikingly, the second half began with Marbella still on the offensive, clearly aiming for the equalizer. They pressured Atletico’s defense, which eventually led to claims for penalties, as Diori protested for one after being tugged during a corner kick—an appeal dismissed by referee Alejandro Muñiz Ruiz.
Back on the other end, Atletico remained dangerous, regularly threatening with swift counterattacks. Celso Correa had the chance to secure the victory, but his attempts were marred by overplaying the ball and missing the target, leaving the score unchanged.
Marbella FC kept pushing for parity, coming close but failing to convert any chances as fatigue took its toll. Their struggles were compounded when their key players occasionally faltered, including missed opportunities during two-on-one situations late on.
Atletico’s assistant coach, Nelson Vivas, shared his reflections post-match, stating, "We could have been more convincing." He acknowledged the nervousness, which sometimes accompanies tight contests where goals must be safeguarded. Vivas reflected positively on the control his team maintained during the game but noted the thin one-goal advantage always presented risks.
Meanwhile, he praised Marbella's competitive spirit and their intent to establish themselves as worthy foes. "We saw solid team play with good intentions," Vivas remarked, recognizing the quality of the lower-tier opponent and their spirited performance throughout the clash.
For Marbella, even with their elimination from the tournament, Coach Beltrán expressed pride. The match against Atletico Madrid and reaching this level is something Marbella FC will carry forward, highlighting this as a significant step for the newly promoted club.
This Copa del Rey match will serve as not only a lesson but also as motivation for Marbella FC as they aim to build on this experience and establish their identity within Spanish football.