Real Madrid are through to the Semi-finals of the Copa del Rey after defeating Atletico Madrid 3-1 at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Los Blancos were behind after only 19 minutes of play when a beautiful passage of play led to Alvaro Morata netting a goal for Atletico. All seemed gloomy for Ancelotti’s men until super sub Rodrygo came to the rescue with a Puskas level goal that dragged the tie to extra time.
Benzema and Vinicius put the game beyond Atletico at extra time to make sure Los Blancos secured a spot in the semi-finals.
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Half-time
Goal! Real Madrid 2-1 Atletico
Goal! Real Madrid 2, Atletico Madrid 1. Karim Benzema (Real Madrid) right footed shot from the centre of the box.
Extra time
This match will play 30 more minutes to decide a winner. If there’s still nothing between the sides, then we go to a penalty shootout! Surprisingly, Diego Simeone has withdrawn Antoine Griezmann as we start extra time, with Pablo Barrios introduced.
Full Time
Second Half ends, Real Madrid 1, Atletico Madrid 1.
Goal! Real Madrid 1-1 Atletico
THAT’S A STUNNER FROM RODRYGO! SIMPLY SENSATIONAL! THAT’S A PUSKAS CONTENDER! The Real Madrid substitute dances around three Atletico Madrid defenders with dizzying skill, before poking past Jan Oblak with the outside of his foot. An utterly stunning, glittering, exceptional goal to equalise the match!
Second half
At this point, nothing from Carlo Ancelotti off the bench as he sticks with the starting lineup (minus the one forced change just before the break). That’s a surprise, but he can’t have a long leash for the players struggling to this point.
Half-time
A feisty and physical first half comes to a close and the visitors are comfortably on top. It’s been a really rough first 45 minutes for Real Madrid, who were utterly disjointed in the attack and scattered at the back. The loss of Ferland Mendy deepens the injury crisis and forces the side to slot players in at awkward positions.
Atletico Madrid seem quite comfortable with their one-goal lead, and are in control of the match for the most part. They venture forward in moments, attacking wide areas, but are happy to absorb pressure in phases.
The right flank for Real Madrid has been awful, and Fede Valverde’s poor form is a big part of that. It’s possible Carlo Ancelotti could make a halftime change.
Goal! Real Madrid 0-1 Atletico Madrid
The goalless streak at the Bernabeu is snapped and the visitors are in front! It’s started by a brilliant ball over the top of the Real Madrid back line by Koke, coming to Nahuel Molina. He cuts it across to Alvaro Morata for the easy finish, and Atleti take the early lead. It’s yet another example of poor Madrid defending, as Eder Militao let Morata run free and the original run from Molina wasn’t spotted at the far post.
Kick Off!
Here we go!
Starting XI
Well, we have our answer. With the Copa del Rey, Ancelotti has afforded Modric and Kroos the chance to regain their form, with Ceballos sat. It’s likely that a stinker from either would see Ceballos back into the lineup for Sunday against Real Sociedad.
Just like today’s opponent, Diego Simeone also had questions in midfield. He goes with Koke and Rodrigo de Paul at the anchor, with Geoffrey Kondogbia and Axel Witsel sat on the bench again. Antoine Griezmann will sit behind Alvaro Morata, with Memphis Depay and Yannick Carrasco benched.
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