Real Madrid kept their dreams of securing a historic Treble alive with a dramatic victory over Real Sociedad, clinching a place in the Copa del Rey final. Antonio Rudiger emerged as the hero, nodding in a decisive header deep into extra time to seal a 5-4 aggregate win.
Arda Guler’s corner in the 115th minute found the German defender, who outjumped everyone to direct the ball past Alex Remiro, igniting ecstatic celebrations at the Santiago Bernabeu. The match had already witnessed a breathtaking flurry of goals in regular time, setting the stage for a thrilling climax.
Frenzied second half sees five goals in 21 minutes
Real Sociedad, carrying a slender advantage from the first leg, extended their lead in the 16th minute when Ander Barrenetxea capitalized on an opportunity to put his team ahead. However, Madrid responded through teenage sensation Endrick, whose delicate chip in the 30th minute restored parity on aggregate.
The second half saw an astonishing burst of goals in just over 20 minutes. A misfortune for Madrid came in the 72nd minute when David Alaba inadvertently deflected the ball into his own net, handing Sociedad the lead on the night once more.
Mikel Oyarzabal then doubled their advantage, making it 3-1 with a shot that took another touch off Alaba. But Madrid hit back immediately, with Jude Bellingham producing a sublime volley to level the tie again. Aurelien Tchouameni seemed to have won it in the 86th minute with a header that slipped past Remiro, only for Sociedad’s captain Oyarzabal to respond in stoppage time, forcing extra time.
Madrid keep treble hopes alive
With the match poised at 4-4 on aggregate, extra time became a test of endurance. Both sides pressed for a winner, but it was Rudiger who had the final say, leaping to meet Guler’s delivery and sending Madrid into the final.
Madrid’s pursuit of silverware continues on multiple fronts. They trail Barcelona by three points in La Liga, have a Champions League quarter-final clash against Arsenal ahead, and remain on course for their 21st Copa del Rey triumph. Their opponents in the final will be determined when Barcelona faces Atletico Madrid, following an exhilarating 4-4 first-leg draw.
