Atletico Madrid's kids fight back for Copa del Rey win

Barcelona - A youthful Atletico Madrid side came back from a goal down to beat third-tier Reus on Tuesday to edge towards the last 16 of the Copa del Rey.

Lucas Hernandez's defensive error allowed Fran to fire the Catalans into a shock lead on the half hour mark.

However, 10-time winner Atletico responded immediately through Luciano Vietto's headed equaliser before Saul Niguez flicked home the winner 27 minutes from time.

The two sides meet again in the second leg on Dec. 17.

Atletico boss Diego Simeone made seven changes to the side that beat Espanyol on Saturday to remain second in La Liga.

And that lack of continuity showed early on against a Reus side that had only been beaten once previously this season on its way to leading its regional division in the third tier.

Vietto should have opened the scoring when he fired straight at Edgar Badia with a clear sight of goal after seven minutes.

However, the opener arrived at the other end as Hernandez slipped under pressure from Fran and the playmaker confidently slotted past Miguel Angel Moya.

Vietto made amends for his earlier miss with a fine header into the bottom corner to level six minutes later.

Atletico had far more control after the break, but needed a set-piece to break Reus down as Saul's clever flicked header from Koke's corner looped into the far corner.

Champion Barcelona is in action Wednesday when it hosts Villanovense in the second leg of the fourth-round tie at the Camp Nou after a 0-0 draw in Extremadura five weeks ago.

Real Madrid also opens its cup campaign on Wednesday away to Cadiz.