A Thriller of Goals Between Real Madrid and Real Sociedad
The clash between Real Madrid and Real Sociedad in the Spanish Cup was a spectacle of excitement and goals, ending with Los Blancos securing a spot in the final after a dramatic 4-4 draw following extra time at the Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid.
In the second leg of the semifinal, the Basque side won 4-3 in regulation time, forcing extra time due to Madrid’s 1-0 away victory in the first leg.
Real Madrid managed to score a decisive goal in the second half of extra time, booking their place in the final for the 41st time in club history as they chase their 21st Copa del Rey title. The victory also helped them avoid a repeat of the 2019-2020 season, when they were eliminated in the quarterfinals by Real Sociedad in a 3-4 defeat at the Bernabéu.
Madrid will face either Atlético Madrid or arch-rivals Barcelona in the final, set to be played in Seville on April 26. The two sides meet tonight at the Metropolitano in the return leg after playing out a thrilling 4-4 draw in the first leg in Barcelona.
Match Highlights
From the start, both teams created numerous chances, and it was Real Sociedad who struck first. Ander Barrenetxea capitalized on a headed pass from Pablo Marín behind the defense, breaking into the box and slotting the ball through the legs of Ukrainian goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, who started in place of Belgian Thibaut Courtois and failed to impress (16’).
As has often been the case in the Copa del Rey, young Brazilian striker Endrick found the equalizer, receiving a brilliant outside-foot pass from compatriot Vinícius Júnior. The teenager sprinted into the area and delicately chipped the ball past the keeper with his left foot (30’).
In the second half, after creating several dangerous opportunities, Sociedad regained the lead when Marín made a penetrating run into the box and sent in a cross that deflected off Austrian defender David Alaba, wrongfooting Lunin and finding the back of the net (72’).
The visitors extended their lead with a third goal when former Real Madrid winger Takefusa Kubo broke into the area and laid the ball off for Mikel Oyarzabal, who fired a powerful right-footed shot that again deflected off Alaba and deceived Lunin (80’).
However, English star Jude Bellingham quickly reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Vinícius assist (82’). Moments later, Vinícius had a golden chance to equalize after a dazzling solo run into the box, but his shot was blocked by the defense and went out for a corner. From the resulting set piece, Brazilian Rodrygo delivered a perfect cross that French midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni headed into the net for the equalizer (86’).
Just as the match seemed destined for extra time, Oyarzabal restored Sociedad’s lead in the dying moments with a close-range header from a Sergio Gómez free kick (90+3’).
Madrid almost forced extra time immediately, but Bellingham’s header from a Vinícius cross was brilliantly saved by the keeper before the defense cleared (90+4’).
In extra time, Vinícius continued to squander chances, misfiring into the side netting after receiving a pass from French star Kylian Mbappé (93’). But it was German center-back Antonio Rüdiger, who replaced Alaba, who delivered the crucial goal. In the 115th minute, Turkish substitute Arda Güler swung in a corner, and Rüdiger rose highest to head it home, securing one of Madrid’s most valuable goals of the competition and sealing their place in the final.
