Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior’s extra-time strikes earned Actual Madrid a 3-1 win over rivals Atletico Madrid on Thursday to succeed in the Copa del Rey semi-finals.
The Brazilian winger’s objective was a very candy one for him after a crude effigy along with his shirt on was hung from a bridge close to Actual Madrid’s coaching floor earlier than the sport.
The spiky, gripping derby conflict turned towards Diego Simeone’s facet within the extra interval when defender Stefan Savic was despatched off.
Atletico took the lead by means of Alvaro Morata after 19 minutes however Rodrygo’s sensational slalom run previous three defenders and slick end pulled Madrid stage with 11 minutes remaining.
After Savic’s 99th minute purple card, Benzema tucked house from Marco Asensio’s move and Vinicius netted on the demise to ship Los Blancos by means of to the ultimate 4 for the primary time since 2019.
“Immediately we had a really tough recreation however with the character and the gamers that we have now, we had been capable of flip it round,” Benzema advised Teledeporte.
“Struggling is just not good — we have now to attain the targets earlier.”
The build-up to the derby was tainted by the Vinicius effigy being strung up in a single day, which the membership described as “a disgusting act of racism, xenophobia and hatred.”
“(Vinicius) actually wished to play and he had an excellent recreation,” Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti advised a information convention.
“I feel the objective was his reward for his nice work. What occurred may be very regrettable.”
Madrid followers had deliberate to sing Vinicius’ identify in assist within the twentieth minute, matching his shirt quantity, however had been shocked into silence by Morata’s objective moments earlier than.
Atletico, hitting their greatest type of the season, conjured an excellent transfer to interrupt the impasse, with Morata tapping house after Koke’s dink allowed Nahuel Molina to stroke a first-time cross to the again put up.
Madrid added one other identify to an extended harm checklist when Ferland Mendy had to get replaced earlier than half-time, with Eduardo Camavinga slotting in at left again and Dani Ceballos approaching.
Madrid improved considerably after the break and Rodrygo levelled with 11 minutes to go along with his jinking solo effort and refined near-post end, taking the conflict to extra-time.
– ‘Handy for everyone’ –
Atletico defender Savic foolishly handed Madrid the sting when he was despatched off for 2 yellow playing cards in two minutes.
Atletico gamers claimed that Ceballos ought to have been despatched off earlier when he fouled Geoffrey Kondogbia whereas on a yellow card.
“I feel it was a purple (for Savic), however they need to have had one too once we had been 1-0 up,” complained Atletico goalkeeper Oblak.
“They may have had a second yellow however (the referee) determined it how he determined, we’re used to that, and it’s difficult, however the staff fought to the top, we did every part to attain.”
With an additional man Madrid capitalised, Benzema hanging lethally after 104 minutes when Vinicius miskicked Marco Asensio’s cross and the ball travelled by means of to the striker.
Madrid, who final received the Copa del Rey in 2014, saved Atletico at bay within the closing quarter-hour earlier than Vinicius dribbled by means of and fired house to clinch the victory — celebrating with a now customary dance routine.
Regardless of their enhancing performances, the remainder of Atletico’s season is wanting barren, given they had been eradicated from European soccer and are 13 factors behind La Liga leaders Barcelona, having performed a recreation extra.
“We’re out of Europe and now the cup, the staff has the second half of the season forward of them to attempt to qualify for the Champions League, that’s the target the membership wants,” mentioned Simeone, who forged some doubt on his future.
The Argentine coach has been on the membership since 2011 and has a contract till 2024.
“After that, calmly, we are going to have a look at what’s handy for everybody,” he continued.
“Being at Atletico provides me monumental pleasure, I’ll give 1000 p.c till the day that I go away.”
Earlier Athletic Bilbao received 3-1 at Valencia to hitch file 31-time winners Barcelona and Osasuna in Monday’s semi-final draw.
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