Norway Striker Alexander Sørloth scored a brace as Atlético Madrid romped to a 4-0 win at second-tier Elche on Wednesday to book Diego Simeone's side a place in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey.

It was Atlético's 15th consecutive win in all competitions, the longest such run in the club's history.

Sørloth opened the scoring in the eighth minute, slotting home a loose ball from close range. He doubled Atlético's lead from the penalty spot in the 29th minute after winger Samuel Lino was fouled in the area.

Elche were reduced to ten men when Nico Mercau was booked for the second time in the 50th minute. Atleti substitute Rodrigo Riquelme added a third in the 61st minute with a long-range strike, and Julian Alvarez came off the bench to complete the rout 14 minutes later.

"I am cautious about saving players' energy. We had to win to go through and I trusted players who I thought could give us the chance to continue in the same vein as the team," Simeone told TVE.

"I told them before the game that they've been working very well and that's why we understood that the team that started gave us the option of going through. We played with humility against a team that plays well in the second division.

"I felt good energy within the team. Luckily those players were able to show work, effort, humility, perseverance, accepting the place they have within the team. That will make us compete better and it will make it difficult for me to choose moving forward