Saudi Arabia – Real Madrid emerged victorious in an exhilarating Spanish Super Cup semi-final against arch-rivals Atletico Madrid, showcasing football fans a thrilling encounter in Saudi Arabia.
The intense battle unfolded with both teams delivering a spectacular performance. Atletico’s Mario Hermoso and Real’s Antonio Rudiger initiated the scoring with powerful headers. Real’s Ferland Mendy then seized the lead by flicking in Dani Carvajal’s precise cross.
Not to be outdone, Atletico’s Antoine Griezmann etched his name in the club’s history by scoring his 174th goal, surpassing Luis Aragones as Atletico’s all-time leading scorer. Rudiger contributed to Atletico’s scoreline with an own goal, leveling the playing field.
With the game poised for a dramatic finish, Carvajal’s late strike forced the match into extra time. Real Madrid capitalized on this momentum, securing the victory with a late Stefan Savic own goal and a decisive strike from Brahim Diaz.
In a bold move, Atletico’s goalkeeper Jan Oblak ventured forward in injury time, only to be outpaced by Diaz, who capitalized on the opportunity and slotted the ball into an empty net from an impressive 40 yards.
Real Madrid will advance to the final to face the winner of the other semi-final clash between Barcelona and Osasuna, scheduled for Thursday. Should Barcelona emerge victorious, it would set the stage for a highly anticipated El Clasico final, reminiscent of last year’s clash where Barcelona secured a 3-1 win.
The historic encounter witnessed remarkable individual performances, with Griezmann’s record-breaking goal and Diaz’s audacious run securing Real Madrid’s place in the final. The two Madrid rivals are set to lock horns again in the Copa del Rey last 16 next Thursday, promising another enthralling chapter in their storied rivalry.