The second leg of the last-16 Copa del Rey clash between Atletico Madrid and Valencia took place at the Vicente Calderon on Tuesday evening.
The tie was delicately poised at 1-1 after Helder Postiga cancelled out Raul Garcia's header in the first leg at the Mestalla last week.
Atletico took the lead on the night in the early stages of second period when Diego Godin headed home from close range, before Garcia made sure of Atletico's spot in the quarter-finals in the latter stages.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Our Copa del Rey last-16 coverage continues this evening as Atletico Madrid welcome Valencia for the second leg. The two sides are currently level at 1-1 after the meeting at the Mestalla last week, but Atletico will be the favourites to advance due to their unbeaten home record in all competitions this season.
The home side enter the match off the back of an energy-zapping goalless draw against Barcelona in La Liga at the weekend. That result means that they have taken 50 points from their 19 matches and sit second in the table on goal difference. They have also already beaten Valencia in the league this season with a 3-0 success at the Calderon last month.
Valencia, meanwhile, enter the match off the back of a 2-1 defeat to Celta Vigo at the weekend. As a result, they remain in eighth position in the table on 23 points, but are now 13 points off the top four and just seven from the relegation zone. In addition, they have beaten Atletico just once in the last five meetings between the two sides.
TEAMS:
ATLETICO: Courtois; Juanfran, Miranda, Godin, Luis; Sosa, Gabi, Tiago, Turan; Garcia; Costa
VALENCIA: Guaita; Barragan, R. Costa, Mathieu, Bernat; Fuego, Míchel; Feghouli, Parejo, Fede; Postiga
So there we have it. Jose Sosa makes his Atletico debut this evening, while there is also a place in the XI for Raul Garcia. David Villa and Koke, however, are on the bench. Valencia have Helder Postiga leading their line with support from Fede Cartabia, but Pablo Piatti is only on the bench. Right, the home side get the second leg underway at the Vicente Calderon. Let's hope for goals.
Just a reminder that there must be a winner this evening. If the two sides cannot be separated in normal time, extra-time and penalties will indeed occur. It must be said that there is a sensational atmosphere inside the stadium, although it is far from a full house. Half-chance for Fede inside two minutes as he strikes one towards goal, but Miranda deflects it over for a corner.
Atletico have made just the two changes from their clash with Barcelona at the weekend. It will be interesting to see if any tiredness is apparent throughout the 90 minutes. They put a lot into that fixture with the Spanish champions on Saturday evening. Valencia, however, have freshened their side following their 2-1 defeat to Celta Vigo in La Liga. Bright opening four minutes from Valencia as they break down the right with Fede once more.
Sosa, who is making his debut for Atletico this evening, attempts the spectacular outside the box after Guaita had been forced to clear a through ball from Gabi, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. End-to-end football in the opening six minutes with plenty of challenges occurring in the middle of the park.
Half-chance for Valencia as Michel finds some space down the right before delivering a cross towards Postiga, but Courtois is on hand to claim. Not too much in terms of clear chances in the opening eight minutes, but Valencia have arguably made the brighter start. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital this evening.
Just a few signs that Atletico are starting to warm to their task this evening with a period of possession outside the Valencia box. The referee has allowed the match to flow in the middle of the park thus far despite a number of heavy challenges. Both of these sides are desperate to win this match that is for certain.
Good pressure from Valencia in the last couple of moments as Feghouli, Bernat and Michel all have attempts in quick succession, but Miranda and Godin take it in turns to make the block. Atletico attempt to break down the other end with Costa, but he loses control, before Postiga fires high and wide down the other end.
Half-chance for Atletico as Tiago works the ball wide to Juanfran, who delivers a wonderful cross towards Turan, but Barragan is across to clear at the vital moment. The resulting corner is delivered by Sosa, but he fails to beat the first man. Still no real chances for either side after 15 minutes of this Copa del Rey clash.
Sustained period of pressure from Atletico in the last couple of moments as they continue to work the ball into wide positions. Eventually Costa has a half-chance as he spins inside the box, but his effort is straight into the arms of Guaita. The intensity is rising as the first period at the Calderon begins to gather pace.
Sosa continues to link well with Juanfran down the Atletico right as another dangerous cross is fired towards Costa, but Barragan clears once more. Sosa takes the resulting corner, but his delivery is poor. Not too much to report in terms of Valencia pressure with 20 minutes on the clock. It looks ominous at the moment.
Atletico continue to look for Costa in the final third, but the Brazilian-born forward has struggled to make his mark in the opening 22 minutes. Strangely subdued atmosphere in the stadium at the moment as Michel strikes one from outside the box, but Courtois is on hand to collect before feeding Luis down the left.
Just a reminder that there must be a winner this evening and therefore extra-time and penalties will occur if needed. It is the away supporters making most of the noise at the moment as their side continues to pass and probe outside the Atletico box. Still goalless after 24 minutes of this Copa del Rey contest.
It must be said that the overall quality has been poor in the opening 27 minutes of this match. The referee has been more involved than he would have liked, meanwhile, with late challenges arriving from both sides. Gabi delivers a free kick into the Valencia box moments later, but there are no takers.
I am surprised that Diego Simeone did not make more changes to his XI this evening following that energy-zapping La Liga clash with Barcelona at the weekend. In truth, his side look slightly tired at the moment. Costa has a half-chance for Atletico as he finds some space inside the box, but his effort is deflected high of the crossbar by Barragan.
The free-kick count continues to rise as Juanfran fells Fede down the Valencia left. The resulting free kick is delivered into the Atletico box by Parejo, but Courtois is on hand to collect with ease. Little under 15 minutes of the first period remaining at the Calderon. Still we wait for the first real opportunity.
Barragan is booked for simulation as the Valencia defender throws himself to the ground inside the box. Luis did put a hand into the back of the Spaniard, but he went down extremely easily. That is the first booking of the match, which is credit to the referee due to the number of challenges that have occurred. In truth, this half has been a slight non-event thus far.
The ball has spent more time in the air than on the ground in the last couple of moments, but both defences have stood up well to the aerial threat. Another foul from Juanfran hands Valencia the chance to put a free kick into the Atletico box, but Miranda heads clear. Little under 10 minutes of the first period remaining.
Half-chance for the home side as Juanfran finds some space down the right before delivering a dangerous cross towards Garcia, but the Spaniard cannot make a telling touch under pressure from Costa. Atletico have had a couple of half-chances, but nothing that has really worried Guaita. Little over five minutes of the first half remaining.
CHANCE! Atletico's first real chance of the match arrives minutes before the interval as Godin finds some space on the edge of the box before curling a wonderful cross towards Turan, but the Turkish international cannot rise that extra inch. Any touch would have taken it into the back of the net.
CHANCE! Valencia's turn to come close in the latter stages of the half as Juan Bernat strikes a powerful effort towards the top corner, but Courtois is on hand to make a diving save. Ricardo Costa has a header from the resulting corner, but it moves high and wide of the crossbar.
HALF-TIME: Atletico 0-0 Valencia
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with the two sides level at 0-0 on the night, while it remains 1-1 on aggregate. In truth, it has been a half of few opportunities, with neither doing enough to deserve to be leading at this stage of the contest.
STATISTICS: The possession has been equally shared in the first period, but Valencia have had eight attempts to Atletico's one. Twice Valencia have brought smart saves from Courtois, but the home side have not really tested Guaita in the Valencia goal thus far. There have been two yellow cards, meanwhile, both of which were awarded to Valencia.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have an embarrassment of attacking options on their bench this evening in the shape of Koke, Adrian, David Villa and Cristian Rodriguez. Meanwhile, Valencia have the likes of Pablo Piatti, Ever Banega, Dorlan Pabon and Paco Alcacer in reserve. It is a match that could ultimately be decided from the sidelines.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Just a reminder that we must have a winner by the end of the evening. Extra-time and penalties will occur if needed. Right, the away side get the second 45 minutes underway at the Vicente Calderon. Let's hope for more entertainment.
No changes for either side at the interval, which is not much of a surprise at this stage of proceedings. However, I suspect changes will occur if the score remains level for the next 20 minutes or so. You just get the feeling that one goal could be enough to decide this second leg. Bright start to the half from Valencia as they dictate the possession outside the Atletico box.
Atletico attempt to force the issue down the left as Costa combines with Luis before attempting to drive a low cross into the box, but Mathieu is across to make the clearance. Gabi delivers another dangerous cross into the Valencia box moments later, but Barragan turns behind his own crossbar. The pressure is building from Atletico.
GOAL! Atletico 1-0 Valencia (Godin)
Atletico take the lead after 51 minutes as Godin rises inside the box before thumping a powerful header into the back of the net. Could that prove decisive?
There was some controversy about the award of the corner that led to the goal, however, with Valencia goalkeeper Guaita adjudged to have tipped a Godin effort over the crossbar moments before, but replays have suggested that the Spaniard did not get a touch on the ball. Not that the Atletico supporters are worried as the atmosphere rises inside the stadium.
Valencia make their first change of the match as young striker Paco Alcacer replaces Fede, who has struggled to influence proceedings this evening. As it stands, Atletico will advance into the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey - a competition that they won last season after beating Real Madrid in the final.
It has been a good response from the away side in the last couple of moments, with a series of crosses coming into the Atletico box, but the capital outfit have dealt with the danger thus far.
POST! Wonderful chance for the home side to score their second as Garcia collects possession on the edge of the box before striking one towards the bottom corner, but it smashes off the post. Moments later, Atletico make their first change with Koke replacing Sosa, who had a solid debut.
Valencia continue to force the issue with a series of crosses into the Atletico box, but Miranda and Godin remain solid in defence. The home side attempt to counter with Costa moments later, but Mathieu is across to clear the danger. Little under 30 minutes of the second leg remaining. Valencia need to score to take this into extra-time.
CHANCE! Valencia come close to levelling as Feghouli drives down the right before finding Postiga inside the box, but his low effort is saved by Courtois. Michel strikes one from outside the box moments later, but once more the Atletico goalkeeper makes the save.
It has been one-way traffic since the goal with Valencia forcing the issue in the final third. Michel again tries his luck outside the box, but his effort smashes into Miranda. Postiga attempts the spectacular moments later after finding space outside the box, but his volley is high of the crossbar. Little over 20 minutes of normal time remaining in Madrid.
Half-chance for Costa as the Atletico forward dances into the box before attempting to curl one into the bottom corner, but Mathieu is across with a fine block. Valencia make their second change moments later as Piatti enters the field in place of Feghouli. You just get the feeling that there is another goal in this match.
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments with both sides guilty of a number of late challenges. Costa has another half-chance from a header moments later, but he can only lift his effort over the crossbar. Let-off for Valencia.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments, but Valencia are enjoying more of the ball. Barragan tests the Atletico back four with a terrific cross towards Postiga, but Miranda is on hand to clear. Atletico have conceded just nine goals in 15 matches at the Vicente Calderon this season. That is the task facing Valencia in the latter stages.
Half-chance for Bernat this time as the Valencia winger cuts inside Juanfran before attempting to curl one towards the top corner, but Miranda is on hand with a fine block. Valencia deliver the resulting corner towards Mathieu, but the Frenchman cannot rise at the far post. Little under 15 minutes of the second period remaining.
Parejo takes matters into his own hands with an effort from outside the box, but Courtois is on hand to make the save. Atletico are down the other end with Koke moments later, but Costa had moved into an offside position. It appears that Pabon will be the third and final change for Valencia this evening.
Valencia do indeed introduce Pabon in place of Postiga, who has struggled to influence proceedings this evening. You just get the feeling that another chance will arrive in the final 10 minutes or so. Just a reminder that a goal for Valencia would take the match into extra-time.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments with a similar pattern emerging. Valencia continue to force the issue outside the Atletico box, who are more than prepared to defend the high balls. Atletico make their second change moments later as Rodriguez enters the field in place of Turan.
Valencia left it late in the first leg against Atletico last week with Postiga scoring with virtually the last kick of the match. They have little over five minutes of normal time to find a goal here. Atletico are not too interested in attacking at the moment with Costa the only player in the Valencia half.
Valencia continue to pass and probe outside the Atletico box, but another attack breaks down when Godin clears a through pass from Michel. The home side have possession down the other end moments later, but Costa's over-head kick is straight at Guaita.
It has been a somewhat tired performance from Atletico, but it does appear that they are heading for another win at the Calderon. That is almost secured as Rodriguez angles one towards the bottom corner, but Guaita is across to make a fine save.
GOAL! Atletico 2-0 Valencia (Garcia)
The home side have their second of the match and book their spot in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey with a Garcia header from a Gabi corner.
RED CARD! Parejo (Valencia)
Valencia are reduced to 10 men as Parejo is handed his second yellow card for kicking the ball into the advertising boards at the side of the pitch. It goes from bad to worse. We are into the second of three additional minutes at the Calderon.
