Real Madrid claim bragging rights in Copa quarter

Ancelotti's men claim bragging rights over neighbours Atletico in the quarter-final stage of the Copa del Rey. They needed the full 120 minutes to forge their comeback, as Benzema and Vincius eventually proved the heroes once again. This leaves them in the final four, ready to battle it out for the main prize.

Both sides exchanged an open start to proceedings at the Bernabeu, as neither side could initially find the clinical touch they desired to open the scoring. Soon after, Atletico found themselves with a breakaway, with right-back Molina charging down the wing. He eventually tossed in a delightful low cross, putting the ball on a plate for teammate Morata to finish off. That will undoubtedly be the easiest goal the Spaniard will get all campaign.

The rest of the first forty-five continued along the same vein, with both sides enjoying varying swathes of possession. Much to the home fans' dismay, Real's meanacing strike partnership of Benzema and Vinicius were unable to muster anything of real potency, with the hosts' best chances falling at others' feet.

Ancelotti's men then had to close out the first period with a change in their ranks, with Ceballos coming on to replace the injured Mendy. Not the way which the Italian coach would have wanted to end a sloppy first half from his side in which Argentine Simeone's squad made the most of their chances. 

Madrid came out for the second-half straight on the front foot, desperate to drag themselves back into the game. Their best early chances fell to Nacho and Valverde, as the former saw his back-heel shot go agonisingly close to the far post without finding the net. The longer the game went on, the more the home side were getting frustrated that they were still down.

The momentum briefly changed, with the visitors managing to get on the front foot momentarily. Most notable was Griezmann's free-kick going within a hairs' width of putting his side two-up, but a big Belgian glove was strong enough to parry it out for a corner. This pressure was soon overcome by the home side, as they meant business to try and salvage their cup run.

Brazilian sub Rodrygo soon made his impact felt, as the Real man found himself in space inside the box after a dazzling run. He finished the superb move just as well, poking home the shot with the outside of his foot, giving his side a deserved equaliser. Ancelotti's side then did their best to find a winner in the dying minutes, but they were sent into extra-time with the score one a piece.

Ancelotti's men once again were the better side coming out for the extra thirty minutes, as they were the ones to relentlessly go forward. This pressure brought about a numerical advantage, but not on the scoreboard, as Atletico's Savic picked up two yellow cards in quick succession down right wing, impeding his side in the final stages.

The home fans were soon cheering again, as Ballon d'Or holder Karim Benzema proved why he is so highly rated by turning up on the big stage. He was lying in wait at the back post, ready to punt Asensio's cross home, sending the 'Merengue' fans into delirium. Atletico did not let themselves get bogged down with the late goal, however, and they were the protagonists of extra-time's second half. This late pressure proved to be too little, too late, and the visiting fans were left going home with nothing to cheer about.

After committing themselves forward, they left themselves susceptible to being victims of a break, and that is exactly what happened. Brazilian Vinicius went on a dazzling run and finished calmly into Oblak's bottom corner.

 

January 26, 2023