Real Madrid crushed Atletico Madrid 4–0 away from home, advancing to the Copa del Rey semifinals with a 4–0 aggregate victory. The news quickly sent shockwaves through Spanish football and sparked heated discussion, especially regarding Real Madrid's performance in the match.
Real Madrid's inconsistent and sluggish form since the winter break had made people worry about how they would perform in the second half of the season. Their recent run of two consecutive draws had especially caused many media outlets to maintain their doubts about the team.
Before the match at Calderon, many media outlets had confidently declared that Simeone's team would inflict Real Madrid's most painful defeat at home. Yet the result was completely unexpected: Real Madrid, traveling with a depleted squad, had crushed Atletico Madrid 4–0.
Marca reviewed the match immediately afterward, believing that the main credit for the victory among the players should go to the consistent and efficient Yang Yang, as well as Isco, who had shone brilliantly in the match.
"Yang Yang's consistent performance was hardly surprising. With a hat-trick and an assist, he completely dominated Real Madrid's massacre of Atletico Madrid. But Isco's sudden rise was truly unexpected. This was almost certainly his best performance in the more than two years since joining Real Madrid, especially because he had fully displayed his own strengths on the pitch."
Marca believed that Isco had always been a highly capable player with distinctive qualities. Yet after joining Real Madrid, he had never managed to meet the expectations of the outside world. With De Bruyne's rise this season, he had even begun to fade into the margins.
"This match against Atletico Madrid showed people another side of Isco: his outstanding ball control."
"Amid Atletico Madrid's defensive formation, Isco moved silently through the ranks while dribbling. Although he was