Ademola Lookman marks Atlético Madrid debut with goal and assist in Copa del Rey rout

Ademola Lookman kicked off life in Spain with a goal and an assist on his debut for La Liga side Atlético Madrid in their 5-0 thrashing of Real Betis in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals on Thursday.

 

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​Lookman, who joined Diego Simeone’s side in the January transfer window, found himself in the starting lineup as they traveled to the Estadio Benito Villamarín. The Nigerian forward looked right at home, as the Betis defense had no answer for his pace and quick thinking on the ball.

Ademola Lookman’s dream debut

​The hosts broke the deadlock just twelve minutes in through a header from Dávid Hancko, before Giuliano Simeone added to the Los Colchoneros lead in the 30th minute.

Seven minutes later, the hosts were caught by a counter-attack; Pablo Barrios found Lookman, who dribbled past two Betis players before slotting the ball into the back of the net to make it 3-0 before halftime.

​The second half saw end-to-end action as the visitors maintained their grip on the game. Their dominance paid off again in the 62nd minute when Lookman found Antoine Griezmann, who wasted no time in finishing clinically.

 

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The big-money signing from Atalanta was later substituted for Obed Vargas and shortly after, Atlético Madrid put the final stamp on the game with a fifth goal from Thiago Almada.

​The victory means the Nigerian international is already close to securing a first piece of silverware with his new club as they advance to the Copa del Rey semifinals to face Basque giants Athletic Club.