A Tale of Two Derbies: Atletico Madrid’s Triumph and Real Madrid’s Demise in the Copa del Rey
A Clash of Titans: A Rivalry Renewed
On a chilly January evening, the air crackled with anticipation as the two titans of Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid, locked horns once again in a highly anticipated Copa del Rey clash. A week after their pulsating 5-3 encounter in the Spanish Super Cup semifinals in Saudi Arabia, the two rivals met once more, this time at the packed and boisterous Metropolitano Stadium. The atmosphere was electric, the stakes were high, and the stage was set for another unforgettable chapter in this storied rivalry.
A Match of Errors and Missed Opportunities: The First Half
The opening exchanges were tense and tactical, with both teams probing for weaknesses and trying to impose their game plan. Atletico Madrid, known for their resolute defense and counter-attacking prowess, looked to exploit the spaces behind Real Madrid’s high defensive line. The visitors, on the other hand, sought to control possession and dictate the tempo of the match.
The first goal of the match arrived in the 39th minute, courtesy of a defensive blunder by Real Madrid. A miscommunication between Antonio Rudiger and Andriy Lunin allowed Samuel Lino to pounce on a loose ball and slot it home from close range, giving Atletico Madrid a 1-0 lead.
However, Real Madrid responded swiftly, capitalizing on a mistake by Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak. Oblak, in an attempt to punch away a dangerous Luka Modric free-kick, inadvertently sent the ball into his own net, leveling the scores just before the halftime whistle.
Second Half Drama: Goals, Errors, and Missed Chances
The second half began with renewed intensity, as both teams pressed forward in search of the winning goal. The match was punctuated by moments of brilliance and individual skill, but also by uncharacteristic errors and missed opportunities.
In the 57th minute, Eduardo Camavinga’s poor pass back to his own area caused chaos in the Real Madrid defense. Alvaro Morata, who had been a constant threat throughout the match, pounced on the loose ball and tapped it into an empty net, restoring Atletico Madrid’s lead.
Real Madrid responded with a spirited attack, and their persistence paid off in the 82nd minute. A cross from Jude Bellingham found Joselu, who headed the ball past Oblak to equalize for the visitors and send the match into extra time.
Extra Time Heroics: Griezmann and Riquelme Seal the Victory
With the match delicately poised, it was Antoine Griezmann who emerged as the hero for Atletico Madrid. In the 100th minute, he displayed his exceptional skill and composure, dispossessing Vinicius Junior near the halfway line and driving forward with purpose. He then cut inside and fired a low shot into the bottom corner, giving Atletico Madrid a 3-2 lead.
Real Madrid pressed for an equalizer, but it was Atletico Madrid who struck again in the 119th minute. Rodrigo Riquelme, who had come off the bench, showed great composure to control a pass from Griezmann and slot it past Lunin, sealing a memorable 4-2 victory for the hosts.
Post-Match Reactions: Simeone’s Praise, Vinicius’ Frustration
After the match, Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone heaped praise on his team’s performance and singled out Griezmann for his match-winning goal. He said, “It was an amazing goal, probably one of his best. We played a very good match and the players gave everything they had against a top opponent. It was a great match.”
However, the match was not without its controversies. Simeone and Vinicius exchanged heated words after the end of regulation time, with the coach apparently upset with Vinicius’ celebration after Joselu’s goal. Vinicius also had a spat with one of the ball boys at the Metropolitano.
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti defended Vinicius, saying, “It was a very competitive match, he was involved in many duels, and sometimes you are not able to keep your cool. I think it’s understandable.”
A Quarterfinal Berth Secured: Atletico Madrid’s Path to Glory
With this victory, Atletico Madrid secured a place in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals, joining Barcelona, Girona, Real Sociedad, Celta Vigo, Mallorca, Athletic Bilbao, and Sevilla in the draw. The quarterfinal matches are scheduled to take place on January 24 and 25.
The Copa del Rey triumph marks a significant achievement for Atletico Madrid, who have not won the competition since 2013. The victory also serves as a morale booster for the team, who have had a mixed season so far, struggling for consistency in La Liga and the Champions League.
For Real Madrid, the Copa del Rey exit is a disappointing setback in their quest for silverware this season. However, they will look to bounce back quickly and focus on their remaining targets, including La Liga and the Champions League. The defeat also highlights the need for the team to address defensive frailties and improve their concentration levels in crucial moments.