Atletico Madrid has crashed out of the Copa del Rey after a highly entertaining 3-3 draw with Girona on Wednesday at home.
Girona sneaked through to the quarter-finals on away goals after the tie finished 4-4 on aggregate.
Atletico substitute Antoine Griezmann looked to have completed a late turnaround for Diego Simeone’s side, who were trailing 2-1 in the second half.
He put the hosts 3-2 up in the 84th minute.
Yet Girona forward Seydou Doumbia delivered a final twist in the saga by scoring at the other end four minutes later.
Croatian forward Nikola Kalinic had fired Atletico Madrid into an early lead.
But the packed Wanda Metropolitano stadium was stunned into silence by a jaw-dropping volley from Girona winger Valery Fernandez in the 36th minute.
Atletico Madrid, already missing several first-team regulars to injury, lost Spain midfielder Saul Niguez to a muscle problem early in the second half.
They suffered another setback soon after when Cristhian Stuani headed Girona in front following a free kick.
This sparked furious but futile protests from Atletico Madrid who claimed the Uruguayan had fouled their captain Diego Godin.
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Griezmann came off the bench on the hour mark and soon threaded a pass towards Kalinic which Argentine winger Angel Correa squeezed under Girona’s goalkeeper to equalise.
Godin then hit the crossbar and Santiago Arias had a goal ruled out for offside as Atletico Madrid chased a winner.
France forward Griezmann prompted wild celebrations when he smashed into the roof of the net.
But the mood was soon punctured by Doumbia, also a substitute.
He poked home a shot from Borja Garcia to send Girona through and dump out Atletico, who have not won the Copa del Rey since 2013.
NAN
