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Real Madrid secured their place in the Copa del Rey final after an electrifying 4-4 draw against Real Sociedad in the second leg of the semi-final, which extended into extra time. With a 1-0 victory in the first leg at the Reale Arena, Los Blancos advanced on aggregate to keep their hopes alive for another domestic trophy.
Match Overview
The high-intensity encounter at the Santiago Bernabéu was a rollercoaster of emotions, filled with drama, controversy, and moments of sheer brilliance. Fans were treated to a goal-fest that saw both sides fight tooth and nail until the very last whistle.
Goalscorers:
- Real Madrid: Endrick (30′), Bellingham (82′), Tchouaméni (86′), Rüdiger (115′)
- Real Sociedad: Barrenetxea (16′), Alaba (own goal, 72′), Oyarzabal (80′, 93′)
Real Madrid now awaits the winner of the Barcelona vs. Atlético Madrid clash in the final.
First-Half Action: A Fierce Battle Begins
Real Madrid wasted no time asserting their dominance, pressing high and creating early opportunities. In just the 6th minute, teenage sensation Endrick found himself with a golden opportunity inside the box, but his right-footed shot narrowly missed the target.
Moments later, Vinícius Júnior attempted a curling effort from the edge of the box, but Real Sociedad’s goalkeeper, Álex Remiro, was equal to the task, producing a fine diving save.
Despite Madrid’s early pressure, it was the visitors who drew first blood. In the 16th minute, Ander Barrenetxea capitalized on a swift counterattack, latching onto a precise pass from Pablo Marín. The Sociedad forward displayed excellent composure as he raced down the left flank and coolly slotted the ball between Andriy Lunin’s legs, giving his side a 1-0 lead.
Real Sociedad suffered a major setback in the 26th minute when their Moroccan defender Nayef Aguerd had to be substituted due to an injury. Aritz Elustondo took his place, as Imanol Alguacil was forced into an early tactical adjustment.
Real Madrid responded in the 30th minute through their young Brazilian star, Endrick. A well-orchestrated attack saw Vinícius Júnior deliver a beautifully weighted pass to Endrick, who delicately chipped the ball over Remiro to bring the hosts level. The Bernabéu erupted in celebration as the teenager showcased his immense potential.
The first half ended 1-1, but not without controversy. Just before halftime, Sociedad players vehemently protested for a penalty after Takefusa Kubo was brought down in the box by Vinícius. However, the referee, after consulting VAR, dismissed their claims, leading to further frustration from the visitors.
Second-Half Drama: A Game of Twists and Turns
The second half began with both teams displaying physicality and urgency. Real Madrid’s midfield trio of Valverde, Kroos, and Tchouaméni battled hard to control possession, while Sociedad remained dangerous on the counter.
The turning point came in the 72nd minute when Real Sociedad regained the lead. A fierce strike from Pablo Marín took an unfortunate deflection off David Alaba, wrong-footing Lunin and ending up in the back of the net.
Just eight minutes later, Sociedad extended their lead to 3-1. This time, Mikel Oyarzabal found himself in the right place at the right time. His shot, once again, took a deflection off the unlucky Alaba, leaving Lunin helpless.
Madrid, however, are no strangers to comebacks, and their response was almost immediate. In the 82nd minute, Jude Bellingham, who had been relatively quiet, stepped up in a crucial moment. A perfectly timed cross from Vinícius met Bellingham’s right foot, and his first-time volley rifled past Remiro, cutting the deficit to one goal.
Four minutes later, the comeback was complete. Aurélien Tchouaméni rose highest to meet a corner delivered by Rodrygo, sending a powerful header into the net to make it 3-3.
Just when it seemed Madrid had turned the tide, Real Sociedad once again found a way through. Deep into stoppage time (93’), Oyarzabal connected with a pinpoint free-kick from Sergio Gómez and guided a stunning header into the top corner, silencing the Madrid crowd. Sociedad now led 4-3, seemingly securing their spot in the final.
Extra Time: Rüdiger the Hero
With Real Sociedad leading in aggregate, Madrid needed one last push to stay in the tournament. The first half of extra time saw Los Blancos pushing forward relentlessly, with Remiro making crucial saves to keep Sociedad ahead. The tension was palpable as Madrid threw everything forward.
Then, in the 115th minute, Antonio Rüdiger delivered the decisive moment of the night. Arda Güler, who had come off the bench, swung in a corner from the right. Rüdiger, rising above everyone, connected with a bullet header that smashed into the back of the net, bringing Madrid level at 4-4.
The Bernabéu erupted as Madrid players celebrated wildly, knowing they were now back in control.
Late Controversy & Final Whistle
The drama did not end there. Madrid players were incensed in the 118th minute when Jon Pacheco’s high challenge on Vinícius Júnior was only deemed worthy of a yellow card. Many believed the tackle warranted a straight red, but the referee stood firm in his decision.
Despite Sociedad’s late attempts to find another goal, Madrid’s defense held strong. As the final whistle blew, the Madrid faithful erupted in joy, knowing their team had secured a place in the Copa del Rey final.
Looking Ahead: Madrid’s Final Test
With this hard-fought victory, Real Madrid now awaits their opponent in the final. They will face either Barcelona or Atlético Madrid, two fierce rivals who will battle it out in the other semi-final.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side will take confidence from this thrilling encounter as they aim to add another Copa del Rey trophy to their storied history. The resilience and character displayed by Madrid reaffirm their status as one of the most formidable teams in world football.
As for Real Sociedad, despite the heartbreak, they exit the competition with pride, having pushed the European giants to the limit in one of the most exciting matches of the season.