Copa Del Rey - Atlético continue Real's misery

Atlético Madrid took a big step toward a place in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals with a 2-0 last 16 first leg win over city rivals Real Madrid .

Raúl Garciá converted a second half penalty and José María Giménez scored on a header in the final 15 minutes to power Los Colchoneros to victory. Including the December 30th friendly played in Dubai, Real have now lost three matches in a row.

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti surprised everyone by sitting Cristiano Ronaldo, opting to rest the Portuguese and instead play Gareth Bale, Isco and Karim Benzema in attack. James, Toni Kroos and Sami Khedira formed the midfield while Keylor Navas in goal was protected by a back line of Marcelo, Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane and Álvaro Arbeloa.

As announced, Atlético manager Diego Simeone gave the start to Fernando Torres in his first match back with Los Colchoneros. El Niño lined up as the sole striker, supported by an attacking midfield of Raúl García, Saúl and Antoine Griezmann. Gabi and Mario Suárez anchored in as defensive midfielders while Jesús Gámez, Diego Godín, Giménez and Lucas were charged with defending goalkeeper Jan Oblak.

Ramos nearly pulled off the feat of another header for goal off as corner kick in just the first minute of play, but Oblak was there to block the thumping effort. Real thought they had the opener in the 14th minute when Bale headed in James' free kick, but the Welshman was clearly offside.

Atlético then countered quickly, which resulted in a Griezmann shot that sailed wide. Griezmann then had another big chance in the 21st when he dispossessed Varane, but the French defender was able to make up for it and made a last-second tackle to deny the former Real Sociedad man. On 33 minutes Raul Garcia had a good look at goal when Real failed to clear a ball into the area, but his effort was well blocked by Marcelo.

There were no goals to be had in the first half, so the attacking impetus switched to the second stanza and James nearly found the back of the net in the first minute of the half off a superb ball from Isco, but the Colombian was denied by Oblak. Bale came close again in the 52nd. But his volley off a Marcelo long ball rolled just wide of the far post.

But the game's first goal would belong to Atletico as Raúl García converted a 58th minute penalty after he had been brought down by Ramos in the area. Raúl García calmly slotted his spot kick past Navas to hand the hosts the 1-0 advantage.

Down a goal, Ancelotti opted to bring on his most powerful weapon, with James giving way for Ronaldo in the 64th. Real looked to be closing in on an equalizer, but when least expected, Atlético doubled their lead in the 76th minute as young pup Giménez did his finest Diego Godín impression and smacked in a header off a corner kick that would have made his center back companion and compatriot proud that put Simeone's men up 2-0.

Real were unable to get a goal to make their lives easier in the second leg as they failed to score a goal against Atlético for the third time this season.

Twitter:@ArchBell