Madrid’s good form could not break down Atlético’s strength at the Metropolitano, which in another volcanic duel with extra time included, beat them again and is the only team that has done so this season, and twice. Atlético reached the quarterfinals of the Cup after an intense match, played better by Ancelotti’s team, but Atlético knew how to better exploit its virtues and took advantage of its key moments.
There were no surprises either in the game or in the lineups or in the stands, rough as always. The Atlético fans and the few Madrid fans located in a corner of the third amphitheater spent the night exchanging insults.
Ancelotti arranged the team more or less planned. With Lunin in the door, Camavinga instead of Tchouaméni, Modric as starter and an attacking duo made up of Vinícius and Rodrygo despite the fact that the latter seemed limping
Unlike what happened in the League, the atmosphere at the Metropolitano did not intimidate Madrid, who came out much better, starring with the ball from the beginning. He was able to score very early, after eleven minutes, in a scramble in the Bellingham area that the Englishman resolved with a shot against the crossbar. The ball fell to Vinícius who, with everything in his favor, shot high,
In the 20th the clearest opportunity came. In the midst of harassment from the whites, Oblak avoided the goal twice with two saves: the first in a point-blank shot by Rodrygo and then in a second by Vinícius.
The goal for the whites seemed inevitable because Atlético did not make three good passes in a row and were increasingly shrinking in their area. However, one of the laws of football is that when you forgive it can cost you dearly. When least expected, the Colchonero goal came on a counterattack in the 37th minute. De Paul put a cross from the side, Rüdiger touched it just enough and the ball fell to Samu Lino, who finished bitten but enough to beat Lunin.
The goal ignited the Metropolitano and got Vinicius mad, who shortly after got involved in his typical protests to the referee and Cuadra Fernández gave him the yellow card. The game was filled with bad moods and when everything indicated that the break was going to be 1-0, Madrid found the tie in the 45th minute in the most unexpected way, a foul that Modric placed in the area and Oblak, when going to clear, the ball went into his goal. Madrid had played one of the best first parts of the season and was miraculously not losing at half-time.
Madrid came out much better again in the second half, with Rodrygo having a chance in the first minute. Then there was another one from Bellingham…
And again when it was at its worst, Atlético found its goal, in the 56th minute in a bizarre play, with two balls rebounded inside the area, the first from Camavinga and the second in a bad clearance by Lunin who tripped on Rüdiger and the ball hit him. It fell to Morata, who just had to take advantage of the gift.
Rodrygo hit the post. Joselu came on and as soon as he came out he headed a Bellingham cross into the net in the 81st minute in a very fair position that was validated by the VAR. In full agony, Atlético reached extra time.
If in Riyadh the extra time was better in Madrid at the Metropolitano it was without question for Atlético, who immediately found a great goal from Griezmann. Madrid attacked but very tired and without ideas. The VAR annulled a goal by Ceballos and at the horn and in one against Riquelme it established the final 4-2.
