Wed Feb 05 03:00:00 IST 2025: ## Atlético Madrid Cruises to Copa del Rey Semifinals with 5-0 Rout of Getafe; Real Madrid’s Refereeing Complaints Spark Controversy

**Madrid, Spain** – Atlético Madrid emphatically secured their place in the Copa del Rey semifinals with a resounding 5-0 victory over Getafe. Giuliano Simeone stole the show with a brace in the opening 20 minutes, setting the tone for a dominant performance that saw further goals from Lino, Correa, and Sørloth. The match, however, was overshadowed by ongoing controversy surrounding Real Madrid’s accusations of biased officiating.

Real Madrid, following their defeat to Espanyol, launched a furious attack on the referees, claiming that Espanyol’s goal scorer, Carlos Romero, should have been sent off for a reckless challenge on Kylian Mbappé. The club’s statement, echoing sentiments expressed in pro-Madrid media outlets, has been met with widespread criticism, accusing them of hypocrisy and attempting to influence refereeing decisions. Their complaints extended to a previous match, targeting the referee who officiated Atlético Madrid’s game against Mallorca, alleging a failure to expel Conor Gallagher. As a result of Real Madrid’s pressure, the refereeing team from the Espanyol game has been removed from Copa duty this week.

The Atlético-Getafe match itself saw a tightly contested first half, reflecting the defensive strengths of both teams. However, Atlético’s superior attacking prowess ultimately proved decisive, leading to a comfortable victory and a semi-final berth for the second consecutive year. Atlético manager Diego Simeone praised his team’s performance, highlighting the importance of securing the win before their upcoming crucial league match.

The contrast between Atlético’s decisive win and Real Madrid’s off-field controversy highlights the ongoing power struggle within Spanish football and the influence wielded by the capital club. While the Copa del Rey continues, the debate surrounding refereeing decisions and Real Madrid’s actions will undoubtedly persist.

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