MATCH REPORT | Real Madrid pull off epic comeback to reach the Cup Final (4-4)

The side from San Sebastián stepped onto the pitch at the Bernabéu with a clear objective: turn the tie around by cancelling out Endrick’s goal from the first leg in San Sebastián as soon as possible. Just over 15 minutes in, a ball delivered by Zubimendi and flicked on by Pablo Marín found Barrenetxea in front of Lunin, and he calmly slotted it past the Ukrainian goalkeeper.

That was when Endrick stepped up once again in what is becoming his favourite competition. His compatriot Vinícius provided a perfect assist, and the young Brazilian worked his magic, beating Remiro with a delicate dink to level the score and momentarily put Real Madrid back on course for a place in the final on April 26th in La Cartuja. It was Endrick’s fifth goal in this season’s MAPFRE Copa del Rey, and his seventh as a Madrid player.

With the score at 1-1, and Madrid holding a narrow aggregate advantage, the match headed into half-time.

At the start of the second half, both sides had chances to take the lead. Rodrygo and Bellingham came close for Madrid, while Zubimendi and Oyarzabal had a golden double opportunity for the visitors.

Then, Real Sociedad struck again—twice—as the game entered its final stages. In the 72nd minute, a cross from Pablo Marín on the right flank took a deflection off David Alaba and ended up in the back of the net. Just a few minutes later, in the 80th minute, Oyarzabal doubled the lead with a powerful strike that once again deflected off Alaba, leaving Lunin helpless.

Real Madrid responded in time, scoring twice in four minutes to level the match and put themselves back in the driving seat for a place in the final. Bellingham struck first, converting a Vinícius cross, before Tchouaméni headed in from a Rodrygo-delivered corner, sending the Madridistas into raptures and temporarily silencing the large contingent of visiting Real Sociedad fans high up in the Bernabéu stands.

With three minutes of stoppage time played out of the seven added by Alberola Rojas, Mikel Oyarzabal found the net once again, turning in a cross from Sergio Gómez to send this chaotic, back-and-forth clash into extra time and adding at least 30 more minutes of Copa del Rey MAPFRE magic to an already wondrous night.

The first half of extra time was a cautious affair, but in the second, both managers used their final substitutions, and the game opened up as both teams went for the win. The final prize went to Real Madrid, thanks to a Rüdiger goal in the 115th minute, capitalising on a corner taken by Arda Güler. Yet another epic home victory for Madrid in front of their fans.

Real Madrid will now play in their 41st Copa del Rey final, seeking their 21st title against the winner of Atlético Madrid vs. FC Barcelona, which will take place on Wednesday at the Metropolitano stadium. Real Sociedad bow out with pride after an electrifying night filled with excitement, goals, and top-class football.

WATCH THE POST-MATCH PRESS CONFERENCE WITH CARLO ANCELOTTI AND IMANOL ALGUACIL

MATCH INFORMATION

📸 Foto: Real Madrid C.F.