Real Madrid edge Atletico 5-3 to reach Super Cup final

Real Madrid’s English midfielder #5 Jude Bellingham runs with the ball as he is marked by Atletico Madrid’s Belgian midfielder #20 Axel Witsel during the Spanish Super Cup semi-final football match between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid at the Al-Awwal Park Stadium in Riyadh, on January 10, 2024. (Photo by Fayez NURELDINE / AFP)

Real Madrid defeated Atletico Madrid 5-3 after extra-time in a pulsating battle in Saudi Arabia to reach the Spanish Super Cup final on Wednesday.

Mario Hermoso and Antonio Rudiger exchanged early headed goals before Ferland Mendy sent Madrid ahead at the Al-Awwal Park stadium in Riyadh.

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, but Dani Carvajal smashed Madrid level and forced extra-time.

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

In Sunday’s final Madrid will face either Barcelona or Osasuna, who meet Thursday in the other semi-final.

“Atletico played very well and so did we, it was a spectacular game,” Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti told Movistar.

“We won because we had more energy in the final stages … (the substitutes) all delivered.”

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