Spanish top-flight football giants from the same city of Madrid Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid are set to meet each other for at least four times in domestic league and cup competitions, and they were tied 1-1 in their season head-to-head record in 2023/2024 prior to last night’s Copa del Rey Round of 16 matchup at Civitas Metropolitan Stadium, Madrid. It was the lesser known Atlético Madrid who emerged victorious against their archrivals Los Blancos in the 120-minute showdown this time around, winning the game with a 4-2 score line to reach the Quarterfinals of the Spanish Cup competition this year.
Second Consecutive Extra-Time Game Between Atlético Madrid vs. Real Madrid
The domestic cup round of 16 match was almost going to the second 45 minutes goalless, until a goal each from both sides made the game interesting. A bad clearance from Real Madrid’s backline allowed Brazilian wing-back Samuel Lino to travel to the last stretch of the penalty box, and his shot just crept past Andriy Lunin at the far post for the opener. Atlético Madrid almost brought their lead into the half-time break, until their shot stopper Jan Oblak put his team down with an own goal. The Slovenian goalkeeper mistimed his run during a freekick set piece delivery the opponents and the ball deflected off his body for the equaliser right before the half-time whistle.
Moments before the hour mark in the second half, Álvaro Morata regained the lead for the home side. The former Real Madrid man had to thank his old employers’ mistakes at the back that let him walk in his 18th goal in 27 appearances. The easiest of strike into the empty net for Morata was his third goal in as many matches against Carlo Ancelotti’s Los Blancos in the 2023/2024 Season.
Atlético Madrid seemed to have secured a monumental victory over their nemeses, until Joselu, the 33-year–old striker who scored Real’s fourth goal in their 5-3 win over Atlético Madrid just a week ago, made things all square again with an unguarded header. On loan from Segunda División club Espanyol, Joselu’s shot meant Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid were to play their second consecutive extra-time game against each other.
Draw against Real Madrid. The game goes to extra time at the Cívitas Metropolitano. pic.twitter.com/R8q6BabapI
— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) January 18, 2024
Atlético Madrid’s Second Win Over Real Madrid This Season
In contrast to the last extra-time encounter between Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup, it was Atlético Madrid who claimed the bragging rights this time around. Antoine Griezmann, who has been sensational this entire season with 17 goals and four assists in 27 games in all competitions under his belt, scored a 100th-minute goal for the home side for them to take their third lead in this Copa del Rey Round of 16 clash. The vice captain of the France national team beat Vinícius Júnior at the right flank, before pulling the ball back inside the penalty box and scoring from an acute angle for Atlético Madrid’s third goal.
There would be no way back for the visiting team in famous white jerseys, as Atlético Madrid went on to score their fourth goal to secure the crucial 4-2 victory. Rodrigo Riquelme, who came onto the pitch in the closing stages of the second half, was the giver of Atlético Madrid’s icing on the cake, when Real overcommitted in finding their equaliser. Another replacement Memphis Depay measured the Los Blancos’s defence, followed by setting up the 23-year-old Riquelme for only his second goal this season.
The 4-2 score line not only allowed Atlético Madrid to reach the Copa del Rey Quarterfinals, but it also gave them a slight edge in their head-to-head history against Real this season by revenge on their Spanish Super Cup Semifinal defeat last week, whereas Los Blancos will only be competing in two competitions, the Spanish La Liga and the UEFA Champions League, for the rest of the 2023/2024 Season.
Check This Out: 2023 Supercoppa Italiana Semi-Final: Higher-Placed Fiorentina Overwhelmed by Clinical Napoli
Atlético Madrid Head Coach Simeone: “Probably One of His (Griezmann) Best (Goals).”
Atlético Madrid manager Simeone were full of smiles when he talked about his players over their emphatic showing against nemeses Real Madrid, particularly in the all-time leading goal scorer of the club Griezmann. “It was an amazing goal, probably one of his (Griezmann) best. We played a very good match and the players gave everything they had against a top opponent. It was a great match,” said the Argentine.
Koke, club captain of Atlético Madrid, shared the sentiments as his long-time head coach, he said: “Lately, our games against Real have been very beautiful for the spectator. With a very high tempo, decided in extra time. Today it was our turn to win it. I’m happy for our fans and for Antoine Griezmann who scored a great goal.”
The same could not be said for Ancelotti, whose team now bowed out from the Copa del Rey, a competition where Real have won 20 times in the past. The Italian stated: “We played a complete, even, hard-fought game against a strong opponent. We left with a good feeling, but we’re not happy. We tried in every way. It was a good game from us and also from Atleti. We equalised twice and we shouldn’t have taken risks. Sometimes when you have the game under control, you don’t need to force the play. We have young people with extraordinary quality, who try. There are times in games when forcing the play isn’t necessary. We are young, this was the key.”
Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid are set to meet again early February 2024, stay tuned to OtherLeague.com for all the information you need for the fourth meeting between both Madrid sides this season.
View this post on Instagram
