Real Madrid squeeze past Real Sociedad for Copa del Rey final spot

IANS April 2, 2025 136 views

Real Madrid dramatically secured their Copa del Rey final spot after an intense semi-final against Real Sociedad. The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, with lead changes and dramatic moments throughout both regulation and extra time. Antonio Rudiger's late header ultimately proved decisive in sending Madrid through. The victory showcases Madrid's resilience and ability to perform under pressure.

"A heroic display that nearly caused an upset" - Match Commentary
Madrid, April 2: Antonio Rudiger's header with five minutes remaining in extra time qualified Real Madrid for the final of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday night after it was made to work harder than expected for a 4-4 draw and 5-4 on aggregate.

Key Points

1

Endrick and Vinicius key in Madrid's comeback

2

Oyarzabal scores late equalizer forcing extra time

3

Rudiger's header seals semi-final victory

4

Intense back-and-forth match with multiple lead changes

Real Madrid may have expected a relatively comfortable passage to the final after winning the first leg of the semifinal 1-0 in San Sebastian, but Real Sociedad produced a heroic display on the night and was minutes from causing an upset.

After Endrick had sent an overhead kick just wide of the post, Real Sociedad took control of the game in midfield and opened the scoring in the 16th minute when a long move ended with Mikel Oyarzabal flicking the ball to Ander Barrenetxea, who advanced into the Madrid area and scored with a low shot between goalkeeper Andriy Lunin's legs reports Xinhua.

The visiting team had a setback soon afterwards when defender Nayef Aguerd went down with a calf injury and was replaced with Aritz Elustondo.

Endrick leveled for Madrid after half an hour, latching onto Vinicius' pass and dinking the ball over goalkeeper Alex Remiro after breaking the visitor's offside trap.

Madrid controlled much of the ball for the rest of the first half, but after the break the visiting team again stepped forward and got its reward when David Alaba deflected Pablo Marin's close-range cross into his own net in the 72nd minute.

Eight minutes later, Takefusa Kubo's run set up Oyarzabal to make it 3-1 for the visitor and for a moment it looked as if an upset was on the cards.

It was only a brief moment after Vinicius turned Hamari Traore to set up Jude Bellingham to make it 3-2 and level the score on aggregate, and when Aurelien Tchouameni headed in a corner in the 86th minute, it looked as if it was job done for Real Madrid.

However, a bad foul from Eduardo Camavinga in injury time gave Real Sociedad a free kick on the edge of the Madrid penalty area. Sergio Gomez's delivery was perfect and an unmarked Oyarzabal headed into the net to force extra time.

Madrid had the better of the first period, but the closest either side came to scoring was a Kylian Mbappe chance that was hustled out of play, but after Rudiger's header Real Sociedad had nothing in their legs to produce another miracle.

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