A Tale of Two Derbies: Atletico Madrid’s Copa del Rey Triumph Over Real Madrid
Prologue: The Rivalry’s Deep-Rooted History
In the pulsating heart of Spanish football, a rivalry as old as time itself unfolds, captivating millions worldwide. It’s the Madrid Derby, the clash of titans between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid, two teams separated by a mere 13 kilometers yet divided by an ocean of passion and pride. On Thursday, January 25, 2024, the latest chapter in this storied rivalry was written, a Copa del Rey quarterfinal clash at the iconic Estadio Metropolitano that will forever be etched in the annals of football history.
Act I: A Back-and-Forth Affair Sets the Stage
As the two fierce rivals locked horns once again, the atmosphere at the sold-out Metropolitano crackled with anticipation. Atletico Madrid, under the astute leadership of Diego Simeone, sought to employ their trademark counter-attacking style, while Real Madrid, led by the tactical acumen of Carlo Ancelotti, aimed to control possession and dictate the tempo of the game. The opening act unfolded with both teams probing and testing each other’s defenses, each attack met with resolute resistance.
Scene 1: Lino’s Strike and Oblak’s Blunder
In the 39th minute, the deadlock was broken. Atletico winger Samuel Lino capitalized on a defensive error by Real Madrid center back Antonio Rüdiger, tapping the ball past goalkeeper Andriy Lunin to give the hosts a 1-0 lead. However, Real Madrid responded swiftly, exploiting a mistake by Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak just before the break. Oblak’s attempt to punch away a Luka Modric free kick resulted in a comical own goal, leveling the score at 1-1 and injecting a sense of uncertainty into the contest.
Scene 2: Morata’s Clinical Finish and Bellingham’s Assist
The second half commenced with both teams exhibiting attacking intent. In the 57th minute, another defensive lapse by Real Madrid proved costly. A poor pass from midfielder Eduardo Camavinga found its way to Atletico forward Álvaro Morata, who coolly slotted the ball into an empty net after Lunin and Rüdiger collided in a mix-up. Real Madrid refused to surrender, and their persistence paid off in the 82nd minute. A flowing counter-attack led by Jude Bellingham resulted in a pinpoint cross to Joselu, who headed the ball past Oblak to equalize once again, sending the match into extra time.
Act II: Griezmann’s Magic and Riquelme’s Decisive Contribution
As the game entered extra time, the intensity and drama escalated. Atletico Madrid, sensing an opportunity to seize the initiative, pressed forward with renewed vigor. In the 100th minute, Antoine Griezmann, the French maestro, produced a moment of magic. He dispossessed Vinicius Junior near the halfway line, surged into the penalty area, and unleashed a clinical finish to restore Atletico’s lead. The Rojiblancos, buoyed by Griezmann’s brilliance, continued to push for the decisive goal. In the 119th minute, substitute Rodrigo Riquelme put the game beyond doubt with a tidy finish, securing a 4-2 victory for Atletico Madrid and sending them into the Copa del Rey semifinals.
Epilogue: Simeone’s Praise, Vinícius’ Controversy, and the Quarterfinal Draw
After the match, Simeone heaped praise on Griezmann for his match-winning contribution, describing it as “an amazing goal, probably one of his best.” The Argentine manager also expressed his delight at his team’s performance, stating, “We played a very good match and the players gave everything they had against a top opponent. It was a great match.” However, the post-match atmosphere was somewhat marred by a heated exchange between Simeone and Vinícius. The Atletico manager appeared to be upset with Vinícius’ celebration after Joselu’s equalizer, while the Brazilian winger also engaged in a spat with one of the ball boys at the Metropolitano. Carlo Ancelotti, the Real Madrid manager, downplayed the incident, stating, “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.”
With their Copa del Rey triumph, Atletico Madrid joined Barcelona, Girona, Real Sociedad, Celta Vigo, Mallorca, Athletic Bilbao, and Sevilla in the quarterfinal draw. The stage is now set for more captivating encounters and the pursuit of the coveted Copa del Rey trophy.