- Real Madrid qualified for the Copa del Rey final after a dramatic 5:4 aggregate win over Real Sociedad
- The second leg at the Bernabéu saw six goals and extra time, with Antonio Rüdiger scoring the decisive goal in the 115th minute
- Real will face either Atlético or Barcelona in the final on April 26 in Seville
Key Takeaways:
Real Madrid reached the final of the Copa del Rey and are now one step away from another trophy. This came after one of the wildest second legs in the club’s storied history at the Bernabéu. Carlo Ancelotti’s side had won the first leg of the semi-final against Real Sociedad away from home with 1:0. After 90 minutes in the return game, the Basque side was ahead 4:3, forcing the tie into extra time. There, Antonio Rudiger (115’) scored the last and decisive goal that sent Los Blancos through with a 5:4 aggregate victory.
In the April 26 final in Seville, Real Madrid will face either Atletico Madrid or Barcelona, who play their second leg tonight. Their first encounter also ended in a remarkable 4:4 draw.
Real Madrid could still be on for a potential 𝗦𝗘𝗫𝗧𝗨𝗣𝗟𝗘 season 😳🏆 pic.twitter.com/4bCwXa8cF9
— LiveScore (@livescore) April 1, 2025
Kylian Mbappe was left on the bench by Carlo Ancelotti, with first-leg goalscorer Endrick starting in attack. Andriy Lunin kept his place in goal, while injured Thibaut Courtois was again left out. Eduardo Camavinga started as left-back. Sociedad fielded their strongest possible line-up, given the options available to coach Imanol Alguacil.
The events at the Bernabeu were hard to describe, with fans struggling to catch their breath – especially towards the end of regular time. Ander Barrenetxea stunned the hosts with a goal in the 16th minute, but Endrick equalised in the 30th. Things turned against Real soon after, as two unfortunate deflections off David Alaba (72’, 80’) gave Sociedad a 3:1 lead – enough to see them through on away goals.
But everything flipped again when Jude Bellingham (82’) and Aurélien Tchouameni (86’) scored in quick succession, putting Ancelotti’s side back in front on aggregate. Then, in stoppage time, Mikel Oyarzabal made it 4:3 for the visitors, forcing extra time. In the additional 30 minutes, Madrid were the stronger team and eventually sealed the deal five minutes from the end.
At La Cartuja, Real Madrid will play for just their second Copa del Rey in the last 11 years. So far this season, the team has already won the FIFA Club World Cup and the UEFA Super Cup, though they suffered a 5:2 loss to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final. Los Blancos remain alive in the Champions League and are firmly in the La Liga title race.