It had looked like the end of the road in the Copa del Rey for Real Madrid before Rodrygo levelled with a solo run and finish.
Real Madrid needed extra-time to seal a dramatic Copa del Rey comeback as they downed rivals Atletico Madrid with a 3-1 quarter-final victory on Thursday.
Los Blancos headed to the Santiago Bernabeu after their former striker Alvaro Morata struck in the first half for Atletico.
But Rodrygo’s fantastic solo effort forced extra time in the Spanish capital before Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior completed the turnaround for the hosts.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side will join Barcelona, Athletic Bilbao and Osasuna in the semi-finals, but Diego Simeone’s guests will be disappointed to miss out on the last four.
Despite taking an early lead, it was the home side who fell behind in the 19th minute when Morata tapped home Nahuel Molina’s square ball from close range.
Madrid squandered a great chance to equalize on the half-hour when Eder Militao was caught off guard by a free-kick and botched a simple header.
Things got worse for Ancelotti’s side as well after they were forced into a substitution before the break due to an injury to Ferlando Mendy.
Los Blancos had to wait most of the match to find their answer, but their patience paid off in the 79th minute when Rodrygo skipped past four Atletico players and slotted past Jan Oblak at his near post.
Tempers began to fray between the two rivals in extra time, with Stefan Savic sent off in the 99th minute after two yellow cards in quick succession.
Madrid, given the man advantage, grabbed the chance when Benzema was able to direct Vinicius’s onrushing effort past Oblak before the Brazilian sealed the game with a finish of his own, tucking in a fine drive from the left wing.
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