Real Madrid recovered from a goal deficit to city rivals Atletico to win 3-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu and reach the last four of the Copa Del Rey.
The visitors went in front in the 19th minute after a wonderful move which saw Antoine Griezmann link with Koke, who lofted a pass over the defence for Angel Correa and he put in a low cross gifting Alvaro Morataa tap in.
The equaliser was even better and must be one of the best goals in this prestigious fixtures as ‘super-sub’ Rodrygo weaved in and out of four defenders before stroking the ball home inside the post with the outside of his boot.
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Real Madrid dominated extra time even before Stefan Savic was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 100th minute. Five minutes later Marco Asensio’s deflected cross found Karim Benzema at the far post and he scored the crucial goal.
Real will find out on Monday who they will draw in the semi-final, with Barcelona, Osasuna and Athletic Bilbao also in the hat.
TALKING POINT –
Deja vu all over again
How many times will this happen to Atletico? Ahead in a big game and they make a glut of defensive substitutions, then they lose the lead and no longer look able to score. The goal Atletico scored showcased the skills of four creative players capable of unlocking any defence in Europe. But all four and Thomas Lemar were taken off by the start of extra time. Diego Simeone clapped the Real Madrid fans for getting Stefan Savic sent off but, despite how great he has been for Atletico, it is the team philosophy he has created which has always had a tendency towards undisciplined acts and over negative play in close games that cost them once again. Early on in his tenure he could blame always facing a disparity of talent in these games, but this excuse must be wearing thin now. As if to emphasise the point, even down to ten men and without their attacking stars, in the second half of extra time they were able to force Real Madrid onto the back foot and threaten more than they had in the previous hour.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH –
Rodrygo (Real Madrid)
How many times will he come on and change a game in Real Madrid’s favour? The hero of last season’s run to the Champions League final has never produced a magical moment to rank with his equaliser here which will go down as one of the greatest in this historic derby. Before he entered proceedings in the 69th minute it did not look like Real Madrid would get back in the game. After he had put his stamp on the game it never looked like they would lose.
PLAYER RATINGS
Real Madrid: Courtois 8; Nacho 7, Militao 7, Rudiger 6, Mendy 6; Kroos 6, Camavinga 7, Modric 7; Valverde 6, Benzema 7, Vinicius Jr 7.
Subs: Ceballos 7, Rodrygo 8*, Asensio 7, Odriozola 6, Martin 6.
Atletico Madrid: Oblak 6; Molina 7, Savic 6, Hermoso 7, Reinildo 6; Correa 7, Koke 7, De Paul 6, Lemar 7; Griezmann 7; Morata 7.
Subs: Witsel 6, Carrasco 6, Depay 7, Kondogbia 6, Barrios 6.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
19′ GOAL FOR ATLETICO! And a fantastic move setting up a tap in for Morata. Griezmann played a ball square for Koke who lofted over the defence for Correa and his first-time ball was on a plate for Morata to turn home.
73′ GREAT STOP FROM COURTOIS! Griezmann smashed the free-kick which was heading just under the crossbar but the Belgian pushes the ball away.
80′ GOAL FOR REAL MADRID! And one of the great ones in the history of this derby. Rodrygo dribbled incredibly around four players before stroking home with the outside of the boot past Oblak inside the post.
100′ ATLETICO DOWN TO TEN MEN! Savic gets a second booking for diving in on Camavinga. Not the worst tackle in the world but a booking.
104′ GOAL FOR REAL! Benzema puts Real in front. Asensio puts a low ball into the box from the right by-line and Vinicius Jr’s miss kick goes straight to the number nine at the back post who turns the ball home.
120+2′ GOAL FOR REAL MADRID! An individual goal for Vincius Jr running from the halfway line to the edge of the area, then across the box before scoring low into the net.
KEY STAT
- 7 – Goals for Karim Benzema in as many games since the World Cup
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