In a nail-biting encounter, Real Madrid narrowly avoided another home exit at the hands of Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey. The match, which saw both teams display incredible determination and skill, ultimately ended in favor of the Madrid giants after extra time. This victory marks their second final appearance in just three years, showcasing their resilience and competitive spirit.
Antonio Rüdiger emerged as the hero of the night, scoring the decisive goal in extra time at the iconic Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. This crucial strike secured Real Madrid’s place in the final with an aggregate score of 5-4. The journey to this point was far from smooth, as Real Sociedad had put up a fierce fight, making every minute count.
The first leg of the tie had seen Real Madrid edge out Real Sociedad with a narrow 1-0 victory back in February. However, the return leg was a completely different story. Real Sociedad staged a remarkable comeback, winning the second match 4-3, thanks to a last-minute goal by Mikel Oyarzabal. The drama didn’t stop there, as both teams managed to score twice after the 80-minute mark in regular time, setting the stage for a thrilling finish.
Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid’s coach, expressed his pride in his team’s never-give-up attitude. “I’ve never felt out of it, because at the Bernabéu, anything can happen, especially when we need to come back. We never drop our arms; the fans support us, and it helps a lot,” he said. “We never give up, not in our home and not with our fans.”
Real Madrid will now face either Barcelona or Atlético Madrid in the final on April 26 in Seville. The second leg of their tie is scheduled for this Wednesday at Atlético’s Metropolitano Stadium, after a 4-4 draw in the first leg in Barcelona. This sets the stage for another epic showdown, with both potential opponents having their own ambitions and fan bases eagerly awaiting the outcome.
Real Madrid’s journey to this point has been marked by memorable moments and hard-fought victories. They won their 20th Copa del Rey title in 2023, defeating Osasuna in a thrilling final. On the other hand, Real Sociedad claimed their third championship in 2020 by overcoming their Basque rivals, Athletic Bilbao. This history adds an extra layer of intensity to their matches, as both teams have proven their ability to rise to the occasion.
In the recent match, Rüdiger’s equalizer at 4-4 in extra time came from a header following a corner kick taken by Arda Güler at the 115-minute mark. Real Sociedad had taken the lead early on through Ander Barrenetxea at the 16-minute mark, but Endrick quickly equalized with a stylish finish over Real Sociedad’s goalkeeper, Álex Remiro, at the 30-minute mark. The Basque club then regained the lead with an own goal by David Alaba at the 72-minute mark, followed by Oyarzabal’s goal at the 80-minute mark. Real Madrid fought back with goals from Jude Bellingham at the 82-minute mark and Aurélien Tchouaméni at the 86-minute mark. In a dramatic turn of events, Oyarzabal’s header in the third minute of stoppage time extended the match into extra time.
Oyarzabal expressed his disappointment over Rüdiger’s late goal, saying, “It’s tough to lose in those final minutes, from a corner, in that manner. It’s a pity now, a tough moment. We need to turn the page quickly, focus on the rest of the league, and next year, when this competition comes around again, we need to be ready to experience nights like tonight.”
