In a dramatic and high-stakes Madrid derby, Real Madrid's journey in the Copa del Rey came to a crashing halt. Their city rivals, Atletico Madrid, emerged victorious with a 4-2 scoreline after extra time in a quarter-final clash that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.
Derby Drama Unfolds at the Metropolitano
The match, played on Thursday, January 18, 2024, at Atletico's home ground, the Civitas Metropolitano, was a rollercoaster of emotions. The deadlock was broken early by Atletico's Samuel Lino, who found the net in the 39th minute, sending the home crowd into a frenzy. Real Madrid, however, demonstrated their characteristic resilience. Jan Oblak, Atletico's goalkeeper, scored a shocking own goal in the 45th minute, inadvertently deflecting a ball into his own net to level the score before halftime.
The second half saw Real Madrid seize the initiative. Young star Jude Bellingham assisted Alvaro Morata, who put Los Blancos ahead in the 57th minute, making it 2-1. It seemed Carlo Ancelotti's side was poised to advance. Yet, Atletico refused to surrender. With just eleven minutes of normal time remaining, Antoine Griezmann showcased his brilliance, equalizing for Diego Simeone's men and forcing the match into an additional 30 minutes.
Extra Time Heartbreak for Los Blancos
The momentum decisively shifted in extra time. The physical toll of the intense derby became apparent, and Atletico capitalized. Antoine Griezmann was once again the architect, setting up Rodrigo Riquelme in the 100th minute to give Atletico a 3-2 lead. With Real Madrid pushing everyone forward in a desperate search for another equalizer, they were caught on the break. In the 119th minute, Brahim Diaz lost possession, leading to a swift counter-attack finished clinically by Atletico striker Alvaro Morata, who sealed the 4-2 victory against his former club.
This result marks a significant setback for Real Madrid in their pursuit of domestic silverware this season. For Atletico Madrid, it is a massive triumph, propelling them into the Copa del Rey semi-finals and keeping their dream of winning the competition alive.
Consequences and the Road Ahead
The elimination from the Copa del Rey narrows Real Madrid's focus to two major competitions: La Liga, where they are in a fierce title race, and the UEFA Champions League. The defeat will undoubtedly prompt introspection, particularly regarding squad rotation and defensive solidity in crucial knockout matches.
For manager Carlo Ancelotti, the challenge is now to rally his squad and ensure this defeat does not affect their league form. Atletico Madrid, under Diego Simeone, will draw immense confidence from this character-filled victory as they prepare for the semi-final draw and continue their campaign on multiple fronts. The Madrid derby, once again, lived up to its billing as one of football's most electrifying and unpredictable fixtures.
