Real Madrid defeated Atletico Madrid 5-3 after extra-time in a pulsating battle in Saudi Arabia to reach the Spanish Super Cup final on Wednesday night.
Mario Hermoso and Antonio Rudiger exchanged early headed goals before Ferland Mendy sent Madrid ahead at the Al-Awwal Park stadium in Riyadh.
Antoine Griezmann levelled with a milestone goal for Atletico to become their all-time leading scorer and Kepa Arrizabalaga’s own goal sent the Rojilbancos ahead, but Dani Carvajal smashed Madrid level and forced extra-time.
With the game heading towards penalties, Stefan Savic’s own goal under pressure from Joselu nudged Madrid ahead and substitute Brahim Diaz wrapped up the win on the counter-attack with Atletico goalkeeper, Jan Oblak, stranded out of position.
In Sunday’s final, Madrid will face either Barcelona or Osasuna, who meet in the other semi-final on Thursday.
Speaking after the game, Madrid coach, Carlo Ancelotti, said: “Atletico played very well and so did we. It was a spectacular game.
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“We won because we had more energy in the final stages… (the substitutes) all delivered.”
Diego Simeone’s Atletico are the only team to beat Madrid this season, in September 2023.
Spanish champions and reigning Super Cup winners Barcelona will be aiming to set up a repeat of last season’s Clasico final by beating Osasuna on Thursday.
Atletico face Real Madrid three times in under a month, with their next clash quickly arriving in the Copa del Rey next Thursday.
“We have a (chance for) revenge and we need our fans behind us in our stadium,” Atletico’s Koke said.
However, Simeone disagreed with the midfielder.
The club’s manager said: “It’s not revenge, in football there is no revenge.
“It’s a new knock-out game that will be different to today.”
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