Real Madrid: 18 Goals and two extra-time thrillers on route to the final

Real Madrid CF began their journey to the Copa del Rey Mapfre final with a thrashing of lower-league side Deportiva Minera (0-5), where their midfielders showcased their firepower with goals from Valverde, Camavinga, a brace from Güler, and Modrić.

In the Last 16, RC Celta de Vigo pushed them to the limit, forcing extra time. But in the additional 30 minutes, Valverde and a rampant Endrick tipped the balance in Madrid’s favour (5-2). The quarter-finals saw them face CD Leganés (2-3), a short trip geographically but a hard-fought victory at the Municipal de Butarque. In the 90th minute that the football world was introduced to Gonzalo García, a young talent destined to leave his mark at the club.

In the semi-finals, now played over two legs, Carlo Ancelotti’s men came away from Anoeta against Real Sociedad de Fútbol with a narrow advantage thanks to a goal from Endrick (0-1). The Brazilian would score again in the return leg and is now the team’s top scorer in the competition with five goals in five matches. The second leg at the Santiago Bernabéu—Madrid’s final hurdle before the final—was absolute chaos (4-4). Depending on the moment, it seemed like either team would go through. Four goals were scored in the last ten minutes, sending the match into extra time once more. And if history has taught us anything, it’s that when energy runs low and the stakes are high, Real Madrid find a way. In the 115th minute, Rüdiger struck the decisive goal to book their place in Seville, where they’ll face their eternal rivals in what promises to be another historic night, with their 22nd Copa del Rey title on the line.