MADRID: Karim Benzema and Vinicius JuniorExtra-time strikes earned Real Madrid a 3-1 win over rivals Atletico Madrid on Thursday to reach the King’s Cup semi-finals.
The tense and thrilling derby clash turned against Diego Simeone’s side in the extra period when defender Stefan Savic was sent off.
Atletico took the lead through Alvaro Morata after 19 minutes, but Rodrygo’s sensational slalom got past three defenders and a neat finish brought Madrid level with 11 minutes remaining.
After Savic’s 99th-minute red card, Benzema headed home after Marco Asensio’s pass and Vinicius scored from the death to send Los Blancos into the last four for the first time since 2019.
Preparations for the derby were marred when a crude effigy of Vinicius was hung on a bridge near Real Madrid’s training ground in what the club described as ‘a disgusting act of racism, xenophobia and hatred’ .
The Madrid fans had planned to chant Vinicius’ name in support in the 20th minute, matching his shirt number, but were stunned by Morata’s goal moments before.
Atletico, hitting their best form of the season, conjured up a brilliant move to break the deadlock, with Morata tapping home after Koke’s dink allowed Nahuel Molina to hit a cross for the first time at the back post.
Eder Militao may have equalized but headed from close range, the ball deflecting slightly behind his leap to make the chance more difficult.
Antoine Griezmann moved freely between the lines, relishing his new, deeper role and pulling the strings for Atletico as they dominated the first half.
Madrid added another name to a long injury list when Ferland Mendy had to be replaced before half-time, with Eduardo Camavinga at left-back and Dani Ceballos at the finish.
Along with injuries to Dani Carvajal, David Alaba and Lucas Vazquez, this has left Madrid without natural full-backs.
Benzema was close to reaching Fede Valverde’s shot from Nacho’s drive as Madrid started the second half strongly.
Jan Oblak made a fine save to deny the French striker, Vinicius unable to react quickly enough to finish on the rebound.
At the other end, Axel Witsel sent an overhead kick from a narrow range and Thibaut Courtois knocked down a vicious Griezmann free-kick as Atletico tried and failed to kill the game.
Rodrygo equalized with 11 minutes to go with his solo effort and subtle finishing near the post, taking the game into extra time.
Atletico defender Savic foolishly gave Madrid the lead when he was sent off for two yellow cards within two minutes.
The first came during an argument with Vinicius and the second for a foul on Camavinga.
Madrid immediately started to capitalize when Vinicius crossed for Antonio Rudiger, who headed in from close wide.
Benzema struck a kill after 104 minutes when Vinicius missed Marco Asensio’s cross and the ball went through the striker.
Madrid, who last won the Copa del Rey in 2014, held Atletico at bay in the final 15 minutes before Vinicius dribbled past and fired home to claim victory.
Earlier, Athletic Bilbao won 3-1 at Valencia to join record 31-time winners Barcelona and Osasuna in Monday’s semi-final draw.
The tense and thrilling derby clash turned against Diego Simeone’s side in the extra period when defender Stefan Savic was sent off.
Atletico took the lead through Alvaro Morata after 19 minutes, but Rodrygo’s sensational slalom got past three defenders and a neat finish brought Madrid level with 11 minutes remaining.
After Savic’s 99th-minute red card, Benzema headed home after Marco Asensio’s pass and Vinicius scored from the death to send Los Blancos into the last four for the first time since 2019.
Preparations for the derby were marred when a crude effigy of Vinicius was hung on a bridge near Real Madrid’s training ground in what the club described as ‘a disgusting act of racism, xenophobia and hatred’ .
The Madrid fans had planned to chant Vinicius’ name in support in the 20th minute, matching his shirt number, but were stunned by Morata’s goal moments before.
Atletico, hitting their best form of the season, conjured up a brilliant move to break the deadlock, with Morata tapping home after Koke’s dink allowed Nahuel Molina to hit a cross for the first time at the back post.
Eder Militao may have equalized but headed from close range, the ball deflecting slightly behind his leap to make the chance more difficult.
Antoine Griezmann moved freely between the lines, relishing his new, deeper role and pulling the strings for Atletico as they dominated the first half.
Madrid added another name to a long injury list when Ferland Mendy had to be replaced before half-time, with Eduardo Camavinga at left-back and Dani Ceballos at the finish.
Along with injuries to Dani Carvajal, David Alaba and Lucas Vazquez, this has left Madrid without natural full-backs.
Benzema was close to reaching Fede Valverde’s shot from Nacho’s drive as Madrid started the second half strongly.
Jan Oblak made a fine save to deny the French striker, Vinicius unable to react quickly enough to finish on the rebound.
At the other end, Axel Witsel sent an overhead kick from a narrow range and Thibaut Courtois knocked down a vicious Griezmann free-kick as Atletico tried and failed to kill the game.
Rodrygo equalized with 11 minutes to go with his solo effort and subtle finishing near the post, taking the game into extra time.
Atletico defender Savic foolishly gave Madrid the lead when he was sent off for two yellow cards within two minutes.
The first came during an argument with Vinicius and the second for a foul on Camavinga.
Madrid immediately started to capitalize when Vinicius crossed for Antonio Rudiger, who headed in from close wide.
Benzema struck a kill after 104 minutes when Vinicius missed Marco Asensio’s cross and the ball went through the striker.
Madrid, who last won the Copa del Rey in 2014, held Atletico at bay in the final 15 minutes before Vinicius dribbled past and fired home to claim victory.
Earlier, Athletic Bilbao won 3-1 at Valencia to join record 31-time winners Barcelona and Osasuna in Monday’s semi-final draw.
