Atletico Madrid pulled off a stunning upset over their city rivals Real Madrid, winning 4-2 in extra time to advance to the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey.
The hosts came from behind twice in a pulsating match that had everything: goals, drama, controversy, and a spectacular solo strike by Antoine Griezmann that proved to be the winner.
Atletico took the lead in the 39th minute when Samuel Lino pounced on a loose ball in the box and fired past Andriy Lunin, who was deputising for the injured Thibaut Courtois.
But Real equalised on the stroke of half-time, thanks to a bizarre own goal by Jan Oblak. The Atletico goalkeeper misjudged a free-kick by Luka Modric and ended up punching the ball into his own net.
The second half was equally thrilling, with both sides creating chances and hitting the woodwork. Alvaro Morata restored Atletico’s lead in the 57th minute, capitalising on a mix-up between Lunin and Antonio Rudiger to slot into an empty net.
But Real refused to give up and levelled again in the 82nd minute, when substitute Joselu headed in a superb cross by Jude Bellingham, who was making his debut for the visitors.
The match went into extra time, and Atletico seized the initiative with a brilliant goal by Griezmann in the 100th minute. The Frenchman, who returned to Atletico from Barcelona last summer, dribbled past Vinicius Junior and unleashed a powerful shot from a tight angle that flew past Lunin and into the top corner.
It was Griezmann’s 175th goal for Atletico, making him the club’s all-time top scorer. He celebrated by kissing the badge and running towards the ecstatic fans.
Real were shell-shocked and could not find a way back into the game. Atletico sealed the victory in the 119th minute, when Rodrigo Riquelme tapped in a cross by Marcos Llorente.
The final whistle sparked wild scenes of jubilation at the Wanda Metropolitano, as Atletico players and staff celebrated their first win over Real in the Copa del Rey since 2013.
It was also sweet revenge for Atletico, who had lost to Real in the Spanish Super Cup semi-final in Saudi Arabia last week, after a penalty shootout.
Atletico will now face Girona in the quarter-finals, while Real will have to regroup and focus on their La Liga title challenge. The defeat ended Real’s 21-match unbeaten run in all competitions, and left them one point behind leaders Girona, who have a game in hand.
