A Tale of Two Derbies: Atletico Madrid Triumphs in Copa del Rey, Barcelona Advances

In a pulsating encounter that showcased the intensity and rivalry of the Madrid derby, Atletico Madrid emerged victorious over Real Madrid, securing a 4-2 triumph in extra time to reach the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey. The electrifying contest unfolded at the Metropolitano Stadium, where Atletico has established an impressive unbeaten streak of 25 consecutive matches across all competitions.

Atletico Madrid’s Triumph: A Night of Glory

Antoine Griezmann, Atletico’s talismanic forward, illuminated the night with a stunning goal, etching his name in the club’s history as its all-time top scorer with 175 goals. Rodrigo Riquelme added another goal in the dying moments of extra time to seal the victory for Diego Simeone’s men.

The match began with Atletico taking the lead through Samuel Lino, who capitalized on a defensive error by Real Madrid’s Antonio Rüdiger. However, the reigning Copa del Rey champions responded swiftly, with Jan Oblak, Atletico’s usually reliable goalkeeper, inadvertently punching the ball into his own net.

In the second half, Alvaro Morata restored Atletico’s advantage, capitalizing on a rebound after Andriy Lunin, Real Madrid’s goalkeeper, failed to handle a cross effectively. Joselu, introduced as a substitute, equalized for Real Madrid with a well-taken header, setting the stage for a dramatic conclusion.

The tension escalated in extra time as Brahim Díaz thought he had leveled the score for Real Madrid, but the goal was ruled out due to an offside by Jude Bellingham. Bellingham, a highly-rated midfielder, had earlier hit the crossbar in the first half, while Rodrygo struck the woodwork in the second.

As the match reached its climax, Griezmann produced a moment of brilliance, weaving through Real Madrid’s defense before unleashing an unstoppable shot into the top corner, securing Atletico’s place in the last eight. Riquelme then put the icing on the cake with a breakaway goal, ensuring a memorable victory for the Rojiblancos.

The victory marked a significant moment for Atletico, as it avenged its recent defeat to Real Madrid in the semifinals of the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia. The two archrivals are set to face off again on February 4th in the Spanish league at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, promising another chapter in their captivating rivalry.

Barcelona Finds Redemption in Copa del Rey

Meanwhile, Barcelona, still reeling from their Super Cup final loss to Real Madrid, found solace in the Copa del Rey, securing a hard-fought 3-1 victory over third-division club Unionistas. The Catalan giants, under immense pressure to deliver, displayed resilience and determination to progress to the quarterfinals.

After a slow start and a 1-1 stalemate at halftime, Barcelona turned up the tempo in the second half, unleashing a flurry of goals to seal the victory. Jules Koundé and Alejandro Balde found the back of the net, while Ferran Torres contributed with an equalizer in the first half.

Unionistas, despite their valiant effort, could not contain Barcelona’s attacking prowess, as the Blaugrana showcased their quality and experience. Inaki Pena, Barcelona’s goalkeeper, also played a crucial role, making several key saves to maintain a comfortable lead.

The match also marked the debut of Pau Cubarsi, a 16-year-old defender, who made his first-team appearance for Barcelona, replacing Andreas Christensen in the second half. Unionistas, who had previously eliminated Villarreal on penalties in the previous round, gave a commendable performance, but ultimately, Barcelona’s class prevailed.

Additional Notes and Observations:

• The Madrid derby witnessed a tense exchange between Diego Simeone and Vinicius Jr., Real Madrid’s Brazilian forward, following Joselu’s goal. Vinicius Jr. had been subjected to racial abuse by Atletico fans in previous encounters, including an incident where an effigy of the player was hung from a highway bridge last year.
• Real Madrid’s unbeaten run of 21 matches in all competitions came to an end with the defeat to Atletico Madrid.
• Barcelona’s victory in the Copa del Rey provided a much-needed boost after their disappointing loss in the Spanish Super Cup final.
• The Copa del Rey quarterfinals will feature some intriguing matchups, including Barcelona facing Real Sociedad and Sevilla taking on Osasuna.

In conclusion, the Copa del Rey provided a thrilling spectacle of football, with Atletico Madrid and Barcelona emerging victorious in their respective matches. The knockout competition continues to offer excitement and drama, as the pursuit of the coveted trophy intensifies.