'Pure Real Madrid DNA': Ancelotti hails fightback victory to reach Spanish Super Cup final

Carlo Ancelotti said it is in Real Madrid's DNA to never give up after their remarkable victory over rivals Atletico Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup semi-finals on Wednesday.

Real twice came from a goal down and required extra time at Al Awwal Park in Riyadh to beat Atletico 5-3 and book their place in the final, where they will meet either Barcelona or Osasuna, who contest the other semi-final on Thursday.

Mario Hermoso and Antonio Rudiger exchanged early headed goals before Ferland Mendy sent Real ahead in the 29th minute.

Antoine Griezmann levelled with a milestone goal for Atletico to become their all-time leading scorer and Kepa Arrizabalaga's own goal sent the Rojilbancos ahead. Dani Carvajal then smashed Madrid level and forced extra time.

With the game heading towards penalties, Stefan Savic's own goal under pressure from Joselu nudged Real ahead and substitute Brahim Diaz wrapped up the win on the counter-attack with Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak stranded out of position.

“It’s nothing new, it’s pure Real Madrid DNA," manager Ancelotti said about his team's fightback victory. "Let it be a good learning experience for the youngsters: this team never gives up. You can lose, but never give up.”

Diego Simeone's Atletico are the only team to beat Madrid this season, in September, and they started strongly with Samuel Lino testing Arrizabalaga shortly before they took the lead.

Hermoso headed in the opener after six minutes from Griezmann's corner as Rodrygo failed to challenge him in the air.

Rudiger levelled for Madrid in similar fashion as he escaped Savic and nodded Luka Modric's corner home.

Madrid, unbeaten in 20 matches, were in the ascendency and full-back Mendy capitalised with a deft flicked finish from