In a captivating derby clash, Atletico Madrid emerged victorious against Real Madrid in a thrilling Copa del Rey encounter that saw extra-time brilliance from Antoine Griezmann and Rodrigo Riquelme. The match, which unfolded at a packed Metropolitano stadium, witnessed Atletico's revenge after a recent 5-3 defeat to Real in the Spanish Super Cup semifinals.
The action-packed contest featured Atletico winger Samuel Lino opening the scoring in the 39th minute, capitalizing on a defensive error by Real's Antonio Rüdiger. However, parity was restored just before halftime when Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak's mistake led to an own goal from a Luka Modric free kick.
In the 57th minute, another defensive lapse, this time by Atletico's Eduardo Camavinga, gifted Álvaro Morata a chance, resulting in a tap-in and a 2-1 lead for Real. A late twist unfolded in the 82nd minute when Morata missed a close-range opportunity, triggering a counter-attack that culminated in Jude Bellingham's cross and Joselu's headed equalizer.
The drama continued into extra time, where Griezmann showcased his brilliance by stealing the ball from Vinicius Junior, racing up the right channel, and scoring in the 100th minute. Rodrigo Riquelme sealed the deal in the 119th minute with a composed finish.
Diego Simeone, Atletico's coach, expressed his satisfaction with the performance, praising Griezmann's exceptional goal. Meanwhile, Real's coach, Carlo Ancelotti, acknowledged the competitiveness of the match and noted Vinícius' involvement in heated moments.
Atletico Madrid will now advance to the Copa del Rey quarterfinals, joining other top clubs like Barcelona, Girona, Real Sociedad, Celta Vigo, Mallorca, Athletic Bilbao, and Sevilla in the next stage of the competition. The victory marks the end of Real Madrid's impressive 21-match unbeaten streak in all competitions.
.jpeg)
