Real Madrid qualified this Thursday evening for the semi-finals of the King’s Cup by overthrowing Atlético de Madrid in extra time (3-1 ap). The 2-1 goal was scored by Karim Benzema, on a cross from Asensio involuntarily extended by Vinicius towards the French striker (103rd).
The Colchoneros opened the scoring through Alvaro Morata, following a nice collective movement and a one-touch cross from Nahuel Molina (19th). Real had several chances to equalize, on a free kick from Kroos taken off the line by his teammate Militao while Oblak was beaten (31st), and on a strike from Nacho successively deflected by Valverde and Vinicius, without success ( 54th).
Rodrygo’s Jewel
The rojiblancos, who lined up at the kickoff five world champions – the Argentinians Molina, Correa and De Paul, the French Griezmann and Lemar -, first knew how to turn their backs. They even had two break points on a free kick from Griezmann (72nd) boxed by Courtois then an acrobatic return from Witsel just next door (73rd). But they had to bow to an individual feat from Rodrygo, who successively dribbled past Witsel, Hermoso and Savic before deceiving Oblak from outside the right at the near post (79th).
In extra time, Camavinga caused the expulsion of Savic (100th) for a second warning and Real increased their pressure on Oblak’s goal, before the deliverance by Benzema. Vinicius also scored following extra time (120th+1).
The only downside for the Merengues, the injury in the first period of their French side Ferland Mendy, who had to give up his place, hit in the thigh. Real joined Athletic Bilbao in the last four, who had beaten Valencia CF an hour earlier (3-1), Barça and Osasuna.
