An eight-goal thriller at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday saw Real Madrid clinch their place in the Copa del Rey final at Real Sociedad’s expense following 120 minutes in the second leg of the competition’s semi-final.
Los Blancos drew 4-4 on the night, coming back emphatically from 3-1 down, and with the aid of a 1-0 advantage from the first leg, are now set to play the final for their first trophy of the campaign later in April.
After the hosts had made a positive start to the game, it was La Real who took the lead against the run of play on the 16th minute as Lucas Vazquez was at the decisive end of yet another defensive mishap for the Whites. He was caught out of position, thus allowing Ander Barrenetxea to have a clear run at Andriy Lunin and send his show past the goalkeeper neatly through his legs.
Real Madrid needed only 14 minutes to hit back through Endrick, who delightfully lobbed Alex Remiro after Vinicius Junior played a sublime through ball down the left flank with the outside of his boot. The goal, Endrick’s fifth in the competition, made it 2-1 on aggregate and at half time, it was Los Blancos who were heading for the final.
For much of the second half, Carlo Ancelotti’s men played on the counter attack as they tried to preserve energy after a laborious few weeks and yet again, Real Sociedad took advantage twice in quick succession.
A David Alaba own goal and another deflection off the Austrian from Mikel Oyarzabal’s shot put Sociedad 3-1 up on the night and 3-2 on aggregate. However, with the visitors less than 10 minutes from the final, Real Madrid turned up the momentum significantly in the final stage of the game.
Vinicius provided another beautiful assist after a mazy run down the left wing to Jude Bellingham, who made it 3-2, just minutes before Aurelien Tchouameni powered home a header off Rodrygo Goes’ corner to draw the game level.
It meant Real Madrid led on aggregate but Sociedad were yet to have their final say. Oyarzabal scored a header off a set piece to send the game into extra time, a period in which Real Madrid took full control of proceedings and eventually grabbed a late winner.
With only five minutes before the end of extra time and a penalty shootout, Antonio Rudiger rose to the occasion as he headed home Arda Guler’s brilliantly delivered corner. It turned out to be the deciding goal of the tie and with the second leg ending 4-4 (5-4 on aggregate), Real Madrid pulled off another great escape at the Santiago Bernabeu to progress into the Copa del Rey final scheduled for April 26th at the Estadio de la Cartuja in Seville.
The Whites await their opponents, who will be known on Wednesday night. Atletico Madrid and Barcelona are set to contest the second leg of their semi-final at the Wanda Metropolitano. With both of Madrid’s rivals having played out an enthralling 4-4 draw between themselves as well in the first leg, there is little to separate the two teams and an equally enticing game could be on the cards.
In the shorter run, Ancelotti and his charges will turn their attention back to La Liga. The Whites host Valencia at the Bernabeu on Saturday as they continue to chase Barcelona in the title race.
