Karim Benzema was Real Madrid’s hero as Los Blancos finished off an extra-time comeback to defeat Atletico Madrid 3-1 to advance to the semifinals of Copa del Rey along with Barcelona, Osasuna and Athletic Bilbao.
Due to the World Cup break, this was Real’s first game in 77 days at a sold-out Santiago Bernabeu.
The Los Blancos side started the game slowly and Atletico had numerous dangerous counterattacks.
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The superb through ball from Atletico captain Koke to Nahuel Molina, who then set up Alvaro Morata, a former Real Madrid player, gave the opposition the lead in the 19th minute.
Eder Militao missed a wonderful opportunity to equalize after Toni Kroos provided an exquisite cross in the 32nd minute.
Two excellent chances were lost by Benzema, and Federico Valverde also missed a shot from just beyond the area.
With 10 minutes remaining, the home team forced the game to extratime after substitute Rodrygo made a spectacular individual run with the ball in at his feet, dribbling past three defenders before curling a shot into the bottom corner of the net.
Antoine Griezmann missed a late opportunity to steal the victory after escaping the defense and into the penalty area, launching a shot just wide of Thibaut Courtois’ crossbar.
The match erupted in extra time as both teams made changes as the action became frantic.
Savic made things difficult for his Atletico colleagues after receiving two yellow cards in short succession and being dismissed for knocking down Eduardo Camavinga in the 99th minute.
A low cross from Real substitute Marco Asensio was delivered into the box five minutes later, when Vinicius’s shot was diverted to Benzema, who fired an unstoppable shot into the goal.
Memphis Depay missed a great opportunity to level the score as he side-footed straight at Courtois from close range.
Vinicius then scored a spectacular solo goal to give Real the victory in the remaining seconds by sprinting halfway across the field and shooting low.
Los Blancos boss Carlo Ancelotti made some analysis in the press conference, he said:
“Atlético played well, a little different from normal, with Griezmann and Correa in between the lines. They were certainly better in the first half, but we reacted well.”
“At half time in the Villarreal game, I was angry, but not today. I believed in the comeback.”
“We moved Modric’s position forward a little, but more than a tactical change it was a mental change.”
On Vinícius’ response to the Atleti ultras’ message on Wednesday night
“What happened was shameful. He dealt with it well and focused on the match. He was excited to play in front of his own fans again.”
“I think he worked well and his goal was a just reward for his hard work.”
On Rodrygo’s goal and substitution
“It was a fantastic goal, showing his quality. He made a difficult goal look easy. The way he came on was important for us. He had a slight problem with his Achilles tendon.”
On Savic’s red card
“I was far away, so I don’t know.”
Ceballos spoke to TVE after the game: “We got behind very early and after Mendy’s injury the whole team had to be rebuilt. But we woke up and played really well after the break.”
“They played better in the first half, but the coach corrected things in the second; we took control of the ball and found the goal. Then, after the red card, everything was easier.”
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