Real Madrid clinched their spot in the Supercopa Espana final after a thrilling 5-3 extra-time win over Atletico Madrid in Saudi Arabia.
With the scores level at 3-3 in 90 minutes, an own goal from Stefan Savic and Brahim Diaz sealed the win following a pulsating encounter.
Atleti won 3-1 in the first derby fixture of the season back in September, but Real Madrid had not lost a game in all competitions – a run stretching 18 games – since that defeat.
Goals were expected and one arrived after just nine minutes when Mario Hermoso put Los Rojiblancos in front with a header, taking advantage of some poor marking from Carlo Ancelotti’s men.
The vast majority of their goals have come from Rodrygo, Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Jr this season, but it was actually two defenders who put them in the driving seat.
Antonio Rudiger equalised with a header of his own and Ferland Mendy showed his finishing skills inside the penalty area to put Real Madrid in control.
A special night for Griezmann
It was 2-2 before the break in a goal-laden first half as Antoine Griezmann restored parity for Atletico with a solo effort, finding the corner from outside of the box. That goal confirmed his status as Atletico’s leading all-time goalscorer with 174 goals for the Spanish side on a special night for the Frenchman.
After the break, Samuel Lino came close to putting Atletico back in front but his strike fizzed past the post as they tried to find a winning goal. Dani Carvajal then nearly found it for Los Blancos after Vinicius clipped a quick free-kick to the back post, only for Jan Oblak to deny the right-back at point-blank range.
