Atletico Madrid booked a Copa del Rey final place, despite a 3-2 semi-final second-leg loss at Racing.
Sanchez Flores' team progress, despite defeat
Atletico Madrid booked a morale-boosting place in the Copa del Rey final as they progressed on aggregate, despite a 3-2 semi-final second-leg defeat at 10-man Racing Santander.
Quique Sanchez Flores' side have been woeful in La Liga this season and late goals from Xisco and Mohamed Tchite condemned them to defeat on the night in the cup.
Racing's comeback came after Fernandez Christian was sent off to add drama, but Atletico already had one foot in the final, where they will meet Sevilla, in the wake of last week's 4-0 first-leg win and eased through 6-3 on aggregate.
Sanchez Flores had urged the need to avoid complacency in the build-up to the second leg and it appeared the under-pressure manager's caution was justified when defender Juan Valera put the ball into his own net in the second minute.
However, Racing's Jose Moraton returned the favour six minutes later to level the scores, and Jose Jurado's 55th minute strike put Atletico 2-1 up.
But Xisco and Tchite struck in the final two minutes to give Racing a 3-2 victory on the night, despite having Christian sent off.
