Atletico beats Real Madrid 4-2 in extra time to reach Copa quarterfinals a week after Super Cup loss

Atletico Madrid got better of Real Madrid this time, beating its crosstown rival 4-2 in extra time Thursday to reach quarterfinals of Copa del Rey.

Antoine Griezmann and Rodrigo Riquelme scored after a 2-2 draw in regulation to send Atletico to last eight less than a week after it lost to Madrid in semifinals of Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia.

Atletico thrived again at home, where it also beat Madrid in first Spanish league derby of season in September in what had been its rival’s only loss this season. Atletico is unbeaten in 25 consecutive matches at its Metropolita stadium in all competitions, with two draws since a 1-0 league defeat to Barcelona in January 2023.

Defending champion Madrid eliminated Atletico in Copa quarterfinals last season, winning 3-1 in extra time at home. city rivals will play again on Feb. 4 — third meeting in less than a month — in Spanish league at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Madrid won 5-3 in extra time in Super Cup semifinals last Wednesday.

Griezmann secured Atletico’s win this time with a beautiful goal after making a run through right side of area. France international, Atletico’s all-time top scorer with 175 goals, got past Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior before finding top corner from a tight angle.

“It was an amazing goal, probably one of his best,” Madrid coach Diego Simeone said. “We played a very good match and players gave everything y had against a top opponent. It was a great match.”

Riquelme sealed Atletico’s win from inside area on a breakaway in 119th after an assist by Memphis Depay.

Atletico had opened scoring with a goal from close range by Samuel Li after Madrid defender Antonio Rüdiger deflected ball backward into area in 39th. Madrid equalized after a rare mistake by Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak, who punched ball into his own net while trying to clear a cross.

Álvaro Morata put Atletico ahead again from close range in 57th after Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin failed to fully clear a cross. ball bounced off Rüdiger and went toward Morata in front of an open net.

Striker Joselu, who came on for Rodrygo in 80th, equalized with a header in 82nd after a cross by Jude Bellingham. Morata had missed a clear chance in a one-on-one situation with Lunin just moments earlier.

Brahim Díaz thought he had scored an equalizer late in extra time but goal was disallowed because of an offside by Bellingham.

Bellingham hit crossbar early in first half, and Rodrygo struck woodwork in second.

Madrid went on to win Spanish Super Cup 4-1 in final against Barcelona on Sunday, but re was guard of hor by Atletico before match at Metropolita.

re was a report by Athletic and some Spanish media that some Atletico fans called Vinícius a monkey before game. Brazil international had been racially abused by Atletico fans before or derbies, including by some who hanged an effigy of player off a highway bridge last year.

Simeone exchanged a few heated words with Vinícius after end of regulation. coach appeared to be upset with Vinícius because of his celebration after Joselu’s goal. Vinícius apparently also got into a spat with one of ball boys at Metropolita.

“It was a very competitive match, he was involved in many duels, and sometimes you are t able to keep your cool,” Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said about Vinícius. “I think it’s understandable.”

Ancelotti’s Madrid had come into game on an unbeaten run of 21 matches in all competitions, with 17 wins and four draws.

BARCELONA ADVANCES

Barcelona picked up pace in second half to beat third-division club Unionistas 3-1 in its round-of-16 match.

It will be second straight last-eight appearance for Catalan club, which arrived under pressure after losing Spanish Super Cup final to Madrid.

After being held 1-1 at halftime, Barcelona improved in second half to secure victory with goals by Jules Koundé and Alejandro Balde.

hosts had taken lead with a beautiful one-timer by Álvaro Gómez in 31st minute before Ferran Torres equalized for Barcelona on a breakaway in 45th. Koundé scored with a long-range shot in 69th and Balde sealed victory with a strike from a tight angle in 73rd.

“After a tough loss in Super Cup we needed to rebound,” Koundé said. “It wasn’t easy, y have a good team and were very motivated.”

Unionistas had a few chances to move closer toward end, but Barcelona goalkeeper Iñaki Peña made some good saves to maintain comfortable lead at 5,000-capacity Reina Sofia Stadium.

Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsí, 16, made his first-team debut by entering match after halftime to replace Andreas Christensen.

Unionistas had eliminated Villarreal on penalties in previous round.