Antonio Rudiger scored a 115th-minute winner as Real Madrid survived a major scare in an eight-goal thriller against Real Sociedad to seal their place in the Copa del Rey final for the second time in three seasons.
The key news before kickoff was that Carlo Ancelotti opted to drop Kylian Mbappe to the bench in an attempt to give him some rest amid the busy schedule.
While Mbappe was omitted from the lineup, Ander Barrenetxea came into Real Sociedad's starting XI to get his side off to the perfect start, scoring in the 16th minute to cancel out Endrick's decisive goal from the first leg.
Endrick went on to restore Real Madrid's aggregate advantage, as he became the first Real Madrid player since Cristiano Ronaldo to score at least five Copa del Rey goals in a single season.
The contest remained 1-1 on the night until it burst back into life with five goals in 21 minutes of exhilarating action.
La Real tuned the tie in their favour with a David Alaba own goal and Mikel Oyarzabal's deflected effort, before Jude Bellingham and Aurelien Tchouameni scored in the space of four minutes, only for Oyarzabal to level the tie in stoppage time with his second goal of the game, ensuring that the dramatic tie would head to extra time.
Unsurprisingly, the two teams were unable to maintain the high intensity as tired legs started to show in extra time, but just as the tie appeared to be heading to penalties, Rudiger rose high in the box to head home the decisive goal of a memorable semi-final tie.
Real Madrid will go on to play either Atletico Madrid or Barcelona in the final in Seville, while Real Sociedad fall at the semi-final stage for the second season in a row.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Imago
From a neutral perspective, the closing stages of the regulation time were thrilling to watch as both teams teetered on the edge of elimination just before they clawed their way back into the tie.
However, Ancelotti would have been disappointed to see his team ship four goals against a Real Sociedad team that have often struggled in the final third this season.
Nevertheless, his side ultimately got the desired result, even though they had to dig deep and use their energy reserves to squeeze past Real Sociedad.
As for the visitors, they will be downbeat after falling just short in their quest to eliminate Real Madrid, but Imanol Alguacil will be proud of the fight and character his team showed at the Santiago Bernabeu.
REAL MADRID VS. REAL SOCIEDAD HIGHLIGHTS
Barrenetxea goal vs. Real Madrid (16th min, Real Madrid (1)0-1(1) Real Sociedad)
Real Sociedad take the lead on the night against Real Madrid and level the tie up on aggregate! 🔵⚪
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) April 1, 2025
Ander Barrenetxea with the all important goal for La Real 👀 pic.twitter.com/s42y0nhiuT
Real Sociedad level the tie. Pablo Marin flicks on Martin Zubimendi's pass into the path of Barrenetxea. The winger drives into the left side of the box before slotting through Andriy Lunin's legs to stun the hosts.
Endrick goal vs. Real Sociedad (30th min, Real Madrid (2)1-1(1) Real Sociedad)
What a finish from Endrick! 🔥
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) April 1, 2025
Real Madrid take back the advantage in the tie as Vini Jr and Endrick combine with a great pass and a dinked finish 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/Jp4vJiJPkf
Endrick restores Real Madrid's aggregate lead. The striker races through on goal to collect Vinicius's exquisite through-ball. He steadies himself to calmly lift the ball over Alex Remiro to register his seventh goal of the season.
Alaba own goal vs. Real Madrid (72nd min, Real Madrid (2)1-2(3) Real Sociedad)
It's an own goal from David Alaba and Real Sociedad make it 2-2 on aggregate once again! 🔵⚪
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) April 1, 2025
It's all set up for a big finish at the Bernabeu now 👀 pic.twitter.com/f449ycYOLm
Marin picks up the ball in the box, drifts past Eduardo Camavinga and moves across the byline before Alaba makes an attempt to block the cutback, but he can only divert it past his own goalkeeper.
Oyarzabal goal vs. Real Madrid (80th min, Real Madrid (2)1-3(2) Real Sociedad)
Real Sociedad take the lead on aggregate! 😱😱
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) April 1, 2025
It's all gone wrong for Real Madrid and the Bernabeu is stunned into silence 🔵⚪ pic.twitter.com/pLJXpjqaHs
Real Madrid lead on aggregate for the first time. Kubo dribbles into the right side of the box, before he neatly checks back and lays the ball off to Oyarzabal. The Spain international see his driven shot take a wicked deflection before nestling in the net.
Bellingham goal vs. Real Sociedad (82th min, Real Madrid (3)2-3(3) Real Sociedad)
BELLINGHAM! ⚪
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) April 1, 2025
Just the response that Real Madrid needed to draw level in the tie immediately 👏
We've got a classic in the Copa 😍 pic.twitter.com/zxOl0oSNpt
That didn't last long. Real Sociedad's lead lasts just two minutes, as Vinicius and Bellingham combine to restore parity in the tie. Vinicius produces a brilliant piece of skill to get away from Hamari Traore, before he races past Igor Zubeldia to create the space to stand up a cross for Bellingham to guide home.
Tchouameni goal vs. Real Sociedad (86th min, Real Madrid (4)3-3(3) Real Sociedad)
"Real Madrid have done what Real Madrid do!" 🗣️
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) April 1, 2025
The response of champions has Madrid back on course for the Copa del Rey final! 🏆
Incredible 🤯 pic.twitter.com/jhg5hOvQGe
Real Sociedad manage to scramble the ball behind for a corner kick. However, their relief proves to be short-lived, as Tchouameni towers high in the box to power his header past Remiro, giving Real Madrid the aggregate lead once again.
Oyarzabal goal vs. Real Madrid (90+3 min, Real Madrid (4)3-4(4) Real Sociedad)
OYARZABAL! 😱
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) April 1, 2025
It's 4-3 to Real Sociedad deep in stoppage time, and this tie could be heading for extra time 👀 pic.twitter.com/h5Yq4zcgm3
What a game! Real Sociedad are back level, and we are going to extra time. Sergio Gomez's whips in a dangerous free kick for Oyarzabal to nod the ball into the awaiting net to keep La Real's Copa del Rey hopes alive.
Rudiger goal vs. Real Madrid (115th min, Real Madrid (5)4-4(4) Real Sociedad)
Antonio Rudiger with a brilliant header to put Real Madrid in front in extra time! 5-4 on aggregate! ⚪
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) April 1, 2025
Is that finally the winner? 👀 pic.twitter.com/Iha3EpdSkL
Rudiger wins it. The centre-back drifts towards the near post to meet Arda Guler's inswinging corner, before sending his glancing header out of Remiro's reach to book Real Madrid's ticket to the final.
MAN OF THE MATCH - MIKEL OYARZABAL
© Imago
There were a number of impressive performances at the Santiago Bernabeu, but we are giving the nod to Oyarzabal despite ending up on the losing side in the tie.
The forward played a key role with two goals in the second leg, including a dramatic leveller in the third minute of stoppage time.
Real Sociedad lost their cutting edge when Oyarzabal and Kubo were withdrawn in extra time, highlighting their importance to the team's attacking efforts.
As for Real Madrid, the attacking quartet of Rodrygo, Bellingham, Vinicius and Endrick all deserve plaudits for their contributions in a successful night for Los Blancos.
REAL MADRID VS. REAL SOCIEDAD MATCH STATS
Possession: Real Madrid 58%-42% Real Sociedad
Shots: Real Madrid 26-11 Real Sociedad
Shots on target: Real Madrid 10-5 Real Sociedad
Corners: Real Madrid 10-6 Real Sociedad
Fouls: Real Madrid 3-2 Real Sociedad
BEST STATS
5 - Endrick Felipe has scored five goals in five games in the Copa del Rey 2024/25, becoming the first Real Madrid player to score five goals in the same edition of the tournament since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2012/13 (seven). Predator. pic.twitter.com/1wrS23O8To
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) April 1, 2025
4 - Real Sociedad have scored four or more goals against Real Madrid in a match at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium on three occasions across all competitions in the 21st century, only FC Barcelona have managed it on more occasions in this period (five). Bravery. pic.twitter.com/Iaqy1ocTie
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) April 1, 2025
3 - Antonio Rüdiger has scored three headed goals for Real Madrid this season in all competitions, no LaLiga defender has scored more (three also Eric García, Iñigo Martínez and Aitor Paredes). Saviour. pic.twitter.com/sKyoix8wuu
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) April 1, 2025
WHAT NEXT?
Real Madrid will do their best to recover for Saturday's La Liga meeting with Valencia at the Santiago Bernabeu before they turn their focus to their Champions League quarter-final tie against Arsenal.
As for La Real, they will have to pick themselves up for Sunday's trip to Gran Canaria for a league game against Las Palmas.
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