Real Madrid secured their spot in the Copa del Rey semi-finals after coming from behind to defeat city rivals Atletico Madrid 3-1 in extra-time on Thursday night.
Copa del Rey
Result: Real Madrid 3-1 Atletico Madrid
Date: 26 January 2023
Venue: Santiago Bernabeu
Los Blancos made two changes from the win over Athletic Bilbao, as Luka Modric and Toni Kroos replaced Dani Ceballos and Marco Asensio.
The hosts nearly got off to the perfect start when Karim Benzema played in Vinicius on minutes, but the French striker was denied by a last-ditch challenge by Reinildo.
Atletico would go on to break the deadlock on 19 minutes, with former Real striker Alvaro Morata turning home a low cross from Nahuel Molina.
Los Blancos did have a chance to pull level in the 31st minute when Kroos did well to pick out Eder Militao from a free-kick, but the defender sent his header over the target.
Real manager Carlo Ancelotti was forced to make a change just before the break, as Ferland Mendy picked up a knock and was replaced by Ceballos.
The hosts did manage to carve out a chance at goal just before the hour mark, with Benzema unleashing a strike from the edge of the box that forced Jan Oblak into a fine save.
Ancelotti responded with a change on the right side of the attack, as Federico Valverde made way for Rodrygo while Atletico threw on Memphis Depay and Yannick Carrasco.
Ancelotti's substitution paid dividends with 11 minutes to play as Rodrygo pulled Los Blancos level with a sublime individual goal where he skipped past a few challenges before firing home.
The clash went on to extra-time, where Atletico were reduced to ten men after Savic was sent off after picking up his second yellow of the encounter.
Real made the numerical advantage counter five minutes later when Benzema put his side with close-range strike after Vinicius scuffed Asensio's low cross.
Benzema's strike was not the final goal, as Los Blancos were able to grab a third goal thanks to Vinicius, who embarked on a solo run before slotting home to seal his side's spot in the final four.
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