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Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior scored in extra time as Real Madrid fought back to beat local rivals Atletico 3-1 on Thursday and reach the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey.
– Karim Benzema and Vinicius Jr. scored in extra time as Real Madrid fought back to beat local rivals Atletico 3-1 on Thursday and reach the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey.
On a freezing night at a sold-out Santiago Bernabeu hosting their first game in 77 days due to the World Cup break, Real started slowly and Atletico suffered a number of dangerous counter-attacks.
Atletico Madrid lead against their rivals
Atletico captain Koke delivered the ball beautifully to Nahuel Molina who ghosted behind the Reals defense and the full-back set up Alvaro Morata, a former Real academy player, to tap the ball into an empty net in the 19th minute.
Eder Militao squandered a golden chance to equalize in the 32nd minute after Toni Kroos delivered a perfect cross.
Alvaro Morata celebrates the opening goal
It wasn’t until Dani Ceballos came off the bench to replace the injured Ferland Mendy at the end of the first half that Real started to play better.
The 26-year-old midfielder injected new dynamism into a more aggressive team after the break.
Benzema wasted two good chances and Federico Valverde also sent a shot from outside the box.
Rodrygo from Real Madrid celebrates with his friends
Substitute Rodrygo equalized in the 79th with a thrilling goal, beating three defenders before finishing brilliantly.
With Real Madrid in full control, Atletico played most of extra time with 10 men after defender Stefan Savic was shown a second yellow card for tripping Eduardo Camavinga in the 99th minute.
Five minutes later, Real substitute Marco Asensio sent a low cross into the box and Vinicius’s volleyed shot reached Benzema who unleashed an unstoppable strike into the net.
Karim Benzema’s goal made it 2-1 in extra time
Vinicius secured Real’s victory in the dying seconds with a fine individual goal, running half the length of the pitch before scoring with a low shot.
“We fell behind too early and after Mendy’s injury, the whole team had to rebuild. But we woke up and played well after the break,” Ceballos told TVE.
“They played better in the first half, but the coach corrected things in the second half; we controlled the ball and found the goal. Then, after the red card, everything was easier.”
Real Madrid joined Barcelona, Osasuna and Athletic Bilbao in the semi-finals.
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