In a dazzling display of football prowess and heart-stopping moments, Real Madrid emerged victorious in a Spanish Super Cup semifinal for the ages, outlasting arch-rivals Atletico Madrid in a mesmerizing 5-3 triumph that left fans on the edge of their seats in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday. From own-goals to goalkeeping blunders and a historic milestone by Antoine Griezmann, this clash had all the makings of an unforgettable footballing saga.
Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti, basking in the glow of the dramatic victory, summed up the spectacle, saying, "It was a back-and-forth match. They did well in the first half, and in the second, we were able to improve. Both teams played very well. It was a spectacular match, and we won because we had a bit more energy in the end."
The hero of the night, Antoine Griezmann, etched his name in Atletico's history books by surpassing Luis Aragonés as the club's all-time top scorer with an astounding 174 goals. Griezmann's milestone moment came in the 37th minute, as he unleashed a right-footed low shot from outside the area, showcasing sublime skill and a nifty move to maneuver past defenders.
The match, marred by unexpected twists, saw Atletico take the lead with an own-goal by Rüdiger in the 78th minute. Madrid's goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga's error while going for a crossed ball led to the blunder, as the ball ricocheted off Rüdiger and found its way into the net. However, Dani Carvajal stepped up for Madrid, equalizing in the 85th minute and sending the game into the electrifying realm of extra time.
In a moment of sheer agony for Atletico, defender Stefan Savic inadvertently found his own net in the 116th minute, trying to intercept a cross by Carvajal. Madrid seized the lead, and Brahim Díaz sealed the victory in stoppage time, exploiting an open net after Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak had ventured out of his area to bolster the attack.
Díaz's exuberance in the celebration, marked by taking off his shirt, earned him the game's only yellow card. A curious statistic emerged, revealing that no Madrid derby had transpired without a yellow card since 1974, underscoring the intensity and passion that characterize these iconic clashes.
The thrilling encounter was the first of a trilogy between the Madrid rivals, with the Copa del Rey looming next week at Atletico's Metropolitano Stadium and a Spanish league showdown scheduled for February at Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Madrid, riding a wave of success with an unbeaten streak of 20 consecutive matches, had previously suffered their only loss of the season against Atletico in September.
Diego Simeone's Atletico, which enjoyed a formidable run after the September victory against Madrid, stumbled in recent matches, winning only two of the last six encounters in all competitions and slipping out of the Champions League places in the Spanish league.
The backdrop of this exhilarating clash added an extra layer of intrigue, as it revisited the 2020 Super Cup final where Madrid triumphed on penalties. The decision to take the Super Cup to Saudi Arabia in a lucrative multi-year deal for the clubs and the Spanish soccer federation marked a bold move, although the mostly quiet crowd and possible jeers during a moment of silence for the late German great Franz Beckenbauer hinted at mixed sentiments.
The spotlight also shone on Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos, who faced the disapproval of the Saudi crowd due to his criticism of top players participating in Saudi Arabia. This incident added a touch of controversy to an already pulsating spectacle.
The revamped "final four" format of the Super Cup, pitting the top two teams in the Spanish league from the previous season against the last two Copa del Rey finalists, ensured that each match would be a high-stakes clash, setting the stage for more thrilling encounters in the footballing calendar.
As the dust settles on this epic showdown, Real Madrid and their jubilant fans savor the sweet taste of victory, knowing that they have etched another chapter in the storied history of the Madrid derby. The rollercoaster of emotions, the historic milestones, and the unforgettable moments have reaffirmed the timeless allure of football and the enduring legacy of these fierce rivals on the grand stage. The anticipation builds for the upcoming clashes, promising more drama, more goals, and undoubtedly, more indelible memories for football enthusiasts around the world.
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