Sluggish Atletico held at Elche

AFP, MADRID: Atletico Madrid's stuttering form on the road continued as a much-changed side were held 1-1 at third-tier Elche in the first leg of their Copa del Rey last 32 tie on Wednesday.

Thomas Partey had headed the visitors into an early lead at the Martinez Valero stadium as Atletico dominated before half-time.

However, after Luciano Vietto struck the post and Keidi Bare fired a great chance straight at Guillermo Vallejo, Diego Simeone's men were punished for their profligacy six minutes into the second-half.

Lucas Hernandez was controversially adjudged to have felled Lolo Pla inside the area despite appearing to play the ball, and Pla stepped up to send Miguel Angel Moya the wrong way from the penalty spot.

Vietto pulled another golden chance wide and Fernando Torres, on the night he equalled Luis Aragones's record of 368 appearances for the club, fired off target as Atletico failed to win away from home for the fifth time in the last seven matches.

Sluggish Atletico held at Elche

AFP, MADRID: Atletico Madrids stuttering form on the road continued as a much-changed side were held 1-1 at third-tier Elche in the first leg of their Copa del Rey last 32 tie on Wednesday. Thomas Partey had headed the visitors into an early lead at the Martinez Valero stadium as Atletico dominated before half-time. However, after Luciano Vietto struck the post and Keidi Bare fired a great chance straight at Guillermo Vallejo, Diego Simeones men were punished for their profligacy six minutes into the second-half. Lucas Hernandez was controversially adjudged to have felled Lolo Pla inside the area despite appearing to play the ball, and Pla stepped up to send Miguel Angel Moya the wrong way from the penalty spot. Vietto pulled another golden chance wide and Fernando Torres, on the night he equalled Luis Aragoness record of 368 appearances for the club, fired off target as Atletico failed to win away from home for the fifth time in the last seven matches.