Atletico Madrid have avoided an upset against Reus Deportiu in the fourth round of the Copa del Rey, overcoming the Segunda B outfit 2-1 in the first leg of the tie.
The visitors were left stunned on the half-hour mark when Fran Carbia gained possession in the area and rifled a shot into the bottom corner to put the underdogs in front.
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Atletico did not trail for long as Luciano Vietto headed them level six minutes later, converting Oliver Torres's cross to send the teams into the break tied at one apiece.
Diego Simeone's side controlled the action throughout the second half and netted a deserved second just after the hour through Saul Niguez, who headed in Koke's cross from a difficult angle to dash the minnows' hopes of causing an upset.
Reus's best opportunity to level the tie came in the 78th minute when Ricardo Vaz got his head to Edgar Hernandez's cross in front of goal, his effort sailing narrowly over the bar.
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Atletico had the opportunity to add some gloss to the scoreline with three minutes to go when Vietto gained possession inside the six-yard box and pulled the trigger, forcing a save out of Reus goalkeeper Edgar.
The second leg will take place in Madrid on December 17.
Mark Langshaw
