At the Wanda Metropolitano, Alletico Madrid defeated Real Madrid in a dramatic Copa del Rey semifinal match. Before Jan Oblak’s own goal tied the score, Samuel Lino had opened the scoring. Alvaro Morata believed he had struck the winning goal, but Joselu’s equalizer sent the match into overtime. But Antoine Griezmann and Rodrigo Riquelme’s strikes sent the home team through.
Real Madrid’s opponent Atletico Madrid defeated them 4-2 to advance to the Copa del Rey quarterfinal.
Antoine Griezmann and Rodrigo Riquelme both scored two goals in extra time to send Atleti into the round of eight, ending Real Madrid’s 21-game unbeaten run.
After 12 minutes, Jude Bellingham broke free in the penalty area, slipped the ball between Axel Witsel’s legs, and unleashed a powerful shot that smashed the crossbar, giving Los Blancos their first genuine chance.
After just eight minutes, Jan Oblak’s outstanding goalkeeping kept Real Madrid from scoring again. The Slovenian sprinted to his right to block a deflection that came his way and then raced to his near post to stop Rodrygo’s follow-through.
Six minutes after the half, Atletico Madrid took the lead when Antonio Rudiger leaped to his highest point to head away Rodrigo De Paul’s cross, only to redirect it into the path of Samuel Lino at the back post, who was the first to react and beat Andriy Lunin.
Real Madrid scored their equalizer after just five minutes, so they didn’t have to wait long. When Oblak attempted to save Luka Modric’s free kick, he made a mess, allowing the ball to go over his head and into the net’s back.
Just before the hour, Atletico Madrid’s second-ever defensive blunder gave them the lead. Alvaro Morata was there to take advantage of the mistake made by goalkeeper Lunin and Rudiger this time, brushing the ball into an empty net.
Fifteen minutes from the end, Rodrygo’s hard shot struck the crossbar after deflecting off an Atletico Madrid player, bringing Real Madrid dangerously close to equalizing.
With just eight minutes remaining in regular time, Los Blancos equalized. Bellingham sent a beautiful cross to the back post, and substitute Joselu, who had only been on the field for a few minutes, was there to head home. This goal was sufficient to send the game into extra time.
Griezmann scored a superb solo goal to put Atletico 3-2 ahead with one hundred minutes remaining. The all-time leading scorer for Atletico Madrid raced down the right side, outran Vinicius Junior close to the byline, and then launched a spectacular attempt that went past Lunin and into the top corner from an extremely challenging angle.
With barely one minute remaining, Riquelme secured the win by easily finishing past Lunin after Memphis Depay slid one past him. Never one to hold back when it came to showing his feelings, Diego Simeone ran onto the field to join his players in celebration.
Real Madrid has only lost twice this season in all competitions, both times to Atletico Madrid.
TALKING POINT: THE REVENGE OF ATLETICO
Eight days ago, Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid faced off in a cup tournament, and just like this evening, the game finished in a draw after ninety minutes. However, Real Madrid won the Supercopa de Espana 5-3 and advanced to the final after scoring twice in extra time.
Diego Simeone’s team had an opportunity to strike revenge tonight, and they achieved just that. There was a feeling of déjà vu after ninety minutes, and perhaps even a feeling of “not this again” for the Atletico players, but in Madrid, Antoine Griezmann and Rodrigo Riquelme made it Atletico’s night.
Real Madrid entered this game with an amazing 21-game winning streak in all competitions; their most recent loss occurred in September. Who defeated them last, prior to tonight? Let’s get real, Atletico Madrid.
Even though Atleti is now 10 points behind their city rivals in La Liga, they have already defeated them twice in three meetings, and the Colchoneros advance to the quarterfinals.
ATLETICO’s Antoine Griezmann was named player of the match.
Griezmann was flanked by his family prior to the game as the team gave him a commemorative shirt in recognition of his recent achievement of becoming Atletico Madrid’s all-time top scorer. The Atletico supporters expressed gratitude for their hero’s contributions to their team by chanting his name.
How appropriate then that roughly one hundred minutes later, Griezmann gave Atletico Madrid the lead in overtime as they advanced to the Copa del Rey quarterfinals against rival team Real Madrid.
ANTOINE GRIEZMANN. THE GOAT 🐐 pic.twitter.com/P3IwOPbXjR
— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) January 18, 2024
Griezmann was active throughout, as he always is, trying to move between the lines and create pockets of space. His passing was neat, and he kept Atletico moving, but his goal alone—a moment of pure magic from a magical player—deserves to take home the trophy.
RATINGS OF PLAYERS
Atletico Madrid: Lino 7, Morata 7, Griezmann 8, Oblak 7, Witsel 6, Gimenez 7, Hermoso 7, Llorente 7, De Paul 7, Koke 7, Saul 6, and Koke 7. Subs: Azpilicueta N/A, Savic N/A, Molina 7, Riquelme 7, Barrios 6, Depay 6, and Barrios 6.
Bellingham 8; Vinicius 6; Rodrygo 6; Valverde 6; Camavinga 6; Modric 6; Lunin 7; Mendy 6; Nacho 6; Rudiger 6; Carvaja; 6 Subs: Joselu 7, Garcia 6, Ceballas 6, Diaz 6, Tchouameni 6, Kroos 7.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS 12′ BELLINGHAM SMASHES THE CROSSBAR! – Jude Bellingham’s goal was verging on the miraculous. Entering the penalty area with speed, he slipped the ball between Witsel’s knees and hit a shot that struck the crossbar. Oblak had no chance at all with that one, and the woodwork will be gratefully acknowledged by Atletico.
20′ AMAZING stops BY OBLAK! – Jan Oblak comes in to make two outstanding stops, one off a deflection and another coming up quickly to stop Rodrygo at the near-post. The Slovenian goalie did a fantastic job of keeping the score tied.
39′ GOAL! ATLETICO MADRID 1-0 REAL MADRID (SAMUEL LINO) – The Copa del Rey has begun with a goal from the home team! Rudiger heads De Paul’s clipped ball over the top into Samuel Lino’s path, who reacted fastest to shoot home past Lunin.
45′ GOAL: Real Madrid vs. Atletico Madrid (OWN Goal) – After a mix-up, Luka Modric fires in a free kick, Oblak goes after it, and the ball finds its way into the net!
58′ SCOOP! Real Madrid 2-1 Atletico Madrid (Morat) Tonight is the first time that Diego Simeone’s team has led! After a terrible mistake by Lunin and Rudiger in the back, Morata receives the ball and is unaffected.
75-foot Rodríguez hits the crossbar! Real Madrid is just centimeters away from tying the score! Rodrygo’s jagged shot hits the crossbar after deflecting off a Real Madrid player.
82′ SCOOP! MADRID’S ATLETICO REAL MADRID (JOSELU) 2-2 – Real has drawn even! Shortly after entering the game, Joselu is on hand to head home as Judge Bellingham throws a fantastic pass across goal to the back post!
119′ SCOPE! Atletico Madrid secured their place in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals with a goal from Rodrigo Riquelme, as the team defeated Real Madrid 4-2! The 23-year-old was fed by Memphis Depay and comfortably stroked the ball past Lunin.