A nailbiting game packed with dynamism saw Real Madrid secure the Spanish Super Cup during Wednesday’s semifinal against Atlético Madrid. It was a 5-3 score in favor of Real Madrid that gave them the win during the extra time portion of the match. It was anyone’s game as regular time drove to a close with a score of 3-3 after, a competitive back and forward was displayed between the neighboring teams in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The game began with Atlético in the lead 6 minutes in after a header by Mario Hermoso in response to a cross by Antoine Griezmann, but Madrid went ahead with Antonio Rüdiger scoring in the 20th and Ferland Mendy in the 29th. These events alone were a glimpse into what the match had in store.
During the regular time, an own-goal by Rüdiger in the 78th had Atletico ahead again. This was after a mistake by Madrid goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga. While going for a ball crossed into the area, Kepa did not hold on to the ball and it ricocheted off Rüdiger and went backward into the net. Dani Carvajal equalized in the 85th to send them extra time.
A series of fortunate events led to Madrid taking the lead late in extra time after Atletico defender Stefan Savic found his own net while trying to intercept a cross by Carvajal in the 116th. Brahim Díaz sealed Madrid’s win in stoppage time when he hit the open net when Atlético goalkeeper Jan Oblak had left his area to try to help the attack the other way.
“The team never gives up,” said Real Madrid Manager Carlo Ancelotti per realmadrid.com. “It is the DNA of Real Madrid and a good learning experience for young players: we could lose today, but never give up.”
The overall sentiment on all parts is that it was a great match with many high stakes. Real Madrid will go on to face either Barcelona or Osasuna in Sunday’s final. But before the resolution of the Spanish Super Cup, we can expect an equally thrilling match between both teams next Thursday at Copa del Rey. It will be the second in a series of three matches within a 3-week window between Atlético and Real Madrid.
“We played a good match. I think we could have won the tie in 90 minutes, we have to learn about specific situations that arrive during the match,” said manager Diego Simeone on Atlético’s performance.
We can’t wait to see them battle it out on the field next week!
