Torres sends Atletico into King's Cup semi-finals

Atletico Madrid edged their way into the King's Cup semi-finals after a Fernando Torres penalty gave them a 1-0 aggregate win over Primera Liga basement side Numancia at the Calderon on Wednesday.

The Atletico striker earned a controversial penalty when he went down after turning inside defender Juanpa and then sent goalkeeper Alvaro Nunez the wrong way with the resulting spot kick midway through the second half.

Cesar Ferrando's side join 23 times Cup winners Athletic Bilbao, Real Betis and Osasuna in the semi-finals, which will be played over two legs on April 20 and May 11.

Atletico, who were held to a 0-0 draw in the first leg in Soria, struggled to make inroads against the crowded Numancia defence in the opening half hour.

It was not until the final minute of the first half that Atletico created any clear scoring chances, striker Salva Ballesta planting a looping header onto the bar after a free kick and defender Pablo Ibanez nodding over moments later.

Numancia had their own opportunity to take the lead early in the second half when defender Stephane Pignol tried his luck from distance but Argentine keeper Leo Franco made a fine fingertip save to deny the Frenchman.

Atletico had an even better chance when Salva found himself alone in the area after Ariel Ibagaza beat the offside trap but Numancia goalkeeper Nunez got his foot to the ball and turned the striker's fierce shot wide of the post.

With neither side seemingly capable of making anything of their chances it eventually fell to Torres to break the deadlock with his penalty and send Atletico through to the last four.

The Spanish Football Federation has yet to set a date for the draw.