Defensive Chaos, Teen Heroics & a Late Savior as Ancelotti’s Men Scrape Through
In a match that swung from disaster to delirium, Real Madrid punched their ticket to the Copa del Rey final after a heart-stopping 4-4 draw (5-4 on aggregate) against Real Sociedad, sealed by Antonio Rüdiger’s extra-time header.
What began as a cautious night at the Bernabéu quickly spiraled into chaos. Teenager Endrick announced himself with a sublime chipped equalizer after Ander Barrenetxea’s opener, but defensive calamity struck as David Alaba suffered a nightmare—deflecting two Sociedad goals into his own net. When Mikel Oyarzabal’s 93rd-minute header sent the game to extra time, the Basque side smelled blood.
Yet Madrid’s resilience shone through. Jude Bellingham’s razor-sharp finish and Aurélien Tchouaméni’s thunderous header briefly restored order before Rüdiger—the unlikely substitute—rose highest to nod home Arda Güler’s corner, sparing Alaba’s blushes and sending the Bernabéu into relieved raptures.
“I don’t know how to describe how I feel,” admitted Tchouaméni post-match. “We’re happy to reach the final, but this performance? Unacceptable. We can’t play like this and expect to win trophies.”
Carlo Ancelotti’s gamble to rest Kylian Mbappé nearly backfired, but 18-year-old Endrick dazzled, nearly scoring an audacious bicycle kick before his delicate lob leveled the score. Vinícius Jr.’s outrageous outside-foot assist for the Brazilian’s goal was a rare moment of elegance in a match defined by defensive chaos.
Sociedad’s Takefusa Kubo tormented his former club, orchestrating attacks that left Madrid’s backline in tatters. Yet for all their fight, the visitors fell agonizingly short—their dream of a first Copa final since 2020 dashed by Rüdiger’s late heroics.
Awaiting Madrid in Seville? A blockbuster clash against either Barcelona or Atlético Madrid, who played out a 4-4 thriller of their own in the first leg. “We’re alive,” grinned Ancelotti post-match—though his side’s defensive frailties suggest this escape act might not work twice.
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