In a jaw-dropping Copa del Rey Quarter-Finals clash on Thursday night, Atletico Madrid pulled off a sensational 4-2 win against their arch-rivals Real Madrid in extra time, leaving fans in disbelief and excitement. The Wanda Metropolitano witnessed an intense match filled with incredible goals, amazing saves, and some edge-of-the-seat VAR moments.
Drama Unfolds in Regular Time
The first half had us on the edge of our seats when Samuel Lino scored a fantastic goal in the 39th minute, showing off his scoring skills. However, Real Madrid struck back just before halftime with Jan Oblak accidentally scoring an own goal, making it 1-1.
The second half was equally dramatic, with Alvaro Morata scoring in the 57th minute after some confusion in Real Madrid’s defense. Real, the defending champs, didn’t back down, and Joselu’s powerful header evened the score at 2-2, just minutes after he came on as a sub.
As if that wasn’t enough, the end of regular time saw yellow cards flying left and right, setting the stage for an explosive extra-time showdown.
Extra Time Heroics
Antoine Griezmann, the hero for Atletico Madrid, scored his 175th goal for the club in the 100th minute. Outmuscling Vinicius and delivering a left-footed strike, Griezmann secured a 3-2 lead, sending the Wanda Metropolitano into a frenzy.
Real Madrid tried to bounce back, but their hopes were dashed when VAR ruled out Dani Ceballos’ goal in the 111th minute due to offside. The final blow came in the dying moments of extra time when Memphis Depay set up Rodrigo Riquelme for Atletico’s fourth, sealing their victory.
Key Player Performances
The match showcased stellar performances from Atletico’s Samuel Lino, Alvaro Morata, and the ever-reliable Antoine Griezmann. Lino’s goal displayed his calmness in front of the net, while Morata’s persistence paid off with a crucial goal. Griezmann, with his 100th-minute strike, proved why he’s a force to be reckoned with.
However, Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior from Real Madrid crafted moments of danger, but opposing teams consistently blocked their efforts. Joselu’s header brought Real Madrid back into the game, but ultimately, they fell short in a match filled with twists and turns.
Conclusion: Atletico Journey Continues
With this incredible victory, Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid advances to the Copa del Rey quarter-finals, fueled by the dream of claiming the title for the first time since 2013. Fans will remember the match as a rollercoaster of emotions, highlighting football’s unpredictable and captivating nature. As the tournament unfolds, fans can look forward to more thrilling encounters and unexpected moments on the journey to crowning the next Copa del Rey champion.
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