MADRID-. Atlético de Madrid I laughed last this time before real Madridby defeating him 4-2 in overtime on Thursday to reach the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey.
Antoine Griezmann and Rodrigo Riquelme They scored after a 2-2 draw in regular time, to place the Colchonero club in the round of the eight best, less than a week after a defeat against the Merengue team itself in the semifinals of the Spanish Super Cup, played in Saudi Arabia.
Atleti once again shined at home, where they also beat Madrid in September, in the first capital derby of the league campaign. That has been Madrid’s only defeat so far this campaign.
In 25 consecutive duels in the different competitions in their Metropolitano fiefdom, Atlético has not fallen. He has signed a couple of draws.
Their last setback at home dates back to January 2023, when Barcelona beat them 1-0.
Madrid eliminated Atlético in the Cup quarterfinals the previous season. They won 3-1 in extra time at home and ended up winning the title.
The two capital adversaries will clash again on February 4, their third duel in less than a month, in a La Liga match that will take place at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.
Real Madrid won 5-3 in overtime last Wednesday, in the Super Cup.
This time, Griezmann secured Atlético’s victory with a beautiful goal, after advancing down the right side of the area. The French international, Atleti’s all-time top scorer with 175 goals, eluded Madrid attacker Vinicius Junior before shooting into the top corner.
“A magical footballer like Griezmann appeared in extra time,” stressed the Argentine Diego Simeone, coach of Atlético de Madrid. “We are lucky to have him and that he wants to be with us, and we have to try to take advantage of it.”
FOUNTAIN: AP
