Atletico Madrid beat Real to reach quarter-finals thanks to great Griezmann

At the end of extra time, and once again thanks to the indispensable Antoine Griezmann, Atlético Madrid defeated their rivals Real (4-2) and won the last ticket to the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey. After Wanda Metropolitano’s tribute to “Grizou” – the only top scorer in the club’s history (175 goals) for eight days – this Madrid derby offered, surprisingly, an intense and balanced duel. In this short game, Merengue showed themselves to be dangerous first. Rodrigo and Vinicius came up against a big Jan Oblak (21st) after Jude Bellingham, after a feast in the opposition defence, found the crossbar (19th).

Real looked to have the upper hand but were apparently caught off guard by the innocuous ball. De Paul’s curling cross deflected off Rudiger’s head, and surfaced to fox Samuel Lino at the far post (1-0, 40th). Atlético, efficient, took the lead but failed… So far the Imperial, Oblak Modric’s free kick missed its aerial exit, before the break (1-1 , 45+1e) with an own goal for Real. A logical but disappointing score for Diego Simeone’s men, who will continue their mano a mano with Carlo Ancelotti after returning from the locker room.

Griezmann’s stroke of genius

In pursuit of a three-cushion billiard move (Cemavinga, Lunin and Rudiger), Alvaro Morata gave Atlético the advantage (59th, 2-1). A happy lead held until 25 minutes until Real’s decisive joker, Joselu’s header, after Rodrigo (76th) hit the second crossbar. 22 actors, very tense and physically on edge, were running into overtime. The moment Hero Griezmann chose to step out of his box. So far discreet, the French international lit up the evening with a save and a sublime goal, from a rebound on Vinicius to a precise finish from a tight angle (3-2, 101st). This time, it was the final blow for Merengue, who couldn’t come back despite two leg concussions in Ceballos (111th) and Rudiger (116th). Diego Simeone’s Atlético, cheered by his lively Wanda Metropolitano crowd, kept heading in the right direction, finally validated on the counterattack by the efficiency of Rodrigo Riquelme (4-2, 119th).

Defeated by their best enemy from the Spanish capital ten days ago in the Super Cup semifinals – already in overtime (3-5) – the Colconeros got their revenge this evening. Now in the quarter-finals, they continue their quest for the Coupe du Roi, a trophy missing from a certain Antoine Griezmann’s list of achievements with his favorite club.