Griezmann and Riquelme Send Atlético Madrid to Copa del Rey Quarterfinals with 4-2 Derby Victory Over Real Madrid
MADRID, Spain – Antoine Griezmann and Rodrigo Riquelme scored in extra time to give Atlético Madrid a 4-2 derby victory over Real Madrid that earned Diego Simeone’s side a Copa del Rey quarterfinal place on Thursday.
A week after the rivals clashed in a 5-3 Real win in the Spanish Super Cup semifinals in Saudi Arabia, they met again in a peppery affair at a packed Metropolitano that was also decided with two extra-time goals, but now in Atlético’s favor.
Atlético winger Samuel Lino opened the scoring for the hosts from a counter-attack in the 39th minute, tapping in from point-blank range after center-back Antonio Rüdiger miskicked a clearance backward to gift him the ball.
But goalkeeper Jan Oblak returned the favor when he made a mistake trying to punch a Luka Modric free kick away and sent the ball into his own net right before the break.
Another error ended in a goal when in the 57th minute midfielder Eduardo Camavinga sent a poor pass back to his own area which confounded goalkeeper Andriy Lunin and Rüdiger, the ball falling to Álvaro Morata who tapped it into an empty net.
In the 82nd minute, Morata missed a sitter from close range which led to a Real counter-attack. Jude Bellingham crossed to Joselu who headed the equalizer to take the match to extra time.
Griezmann worked his magic in the 100th minute to steal the ball from Vinicius Junior on the halfway line and burst up the right channel and into the box to score. Riquelme secured the win in the 119th minute with a tidy finish.
“It was an amazing goal, probably one of his best,” Madrid coach Diego Simeone said. “We played a very good match and the players gave everything they had against a top opponent. It was a great match.”
Simeone exchanged a few heated words with Vinícius after the end of regulation. The coach appeared to be upset with Vinícius because of his celebration after Joselu’s goal. Vinícius apparently also got into a spat with one of the ball boys at the Metropolitano.
“It was a very competitive match, he was involved in many duels, and sometimes you are not able to keep your cool,” Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said about Vinícius. “I think it’s understandable.”
Ancelotti’s Madrid had come into the game on an unbeaten run of 21 matches in all competitions, with 17 wins and four draws.
“Lately, our games against Real have been very beautiful for the spectator. With a very high tempo, decided in extra time. Today it was our turn to win it. I’m happy for our fans and for Antoine Griezmann who scored a great goal,” captain Koke told Movistar Plus.
Atlético will join Barcelona, Girona, Real Sociedad, Celta Vigo, Mallorca, Athletic Bilbao, and Sevilla in the quarterfinal draw.