The former Chelsea frontman scored his first ever goals at the Santiago Bernabeu as Atletico draw 2-2 with their more-fancied neighbours, securing a 4-2 aggregate win and dumping the Galacticos out of the Spanish Cup.
And Torres, who endured a difficult spell at Milan after an inconsistent run at Stamford Bridge in recent years, was given praise by coach Simeone, who insists the Spanish forward is proving his doubters wrong.
"The arrival of Fernando Torres is good for us, although some people doubted it," Simeone said after the game. "I'm happy for him and for all the people who came to welcome him at Vicente Calderon.”
Simeone was delighted with his team’s performance as well, as they stuck to their game-plan in ousting the reigning Fifa Club World Cup champions.
"We played a good game,” he said. “We played against the best team in the world. It is normal defending near the box. We played an intelligent game. In the second half we did a very good job."
The Galacticos have failed to beat Atletico in their last five encounters, yet Simeone feels he cannot dare underestimate the reigning European Champions.
"We won La Liga last year against two teams that are obliged to win the Champions League and that's very difficult," he said. "I do not think Real Madrid are stuck against Atletico. I wouldn't dare to."
Atletico’s victory over Real has now set up a Spanish Cup last eight tie with Barcelona, who thrashed Elche 9-0 on aggregate in their Last 16 tie.