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Rudiger scored the decisive goal for Real Madrid in extra time to beat Real Sociedad in Copa del Rey semi-final. (Reuters) Real Madrid secured their place in the Copa del Rey final after a thrilling 4-4 draw against Real Sociedad in extra time on Tuesday, winning 5-4 on aggregate. Antonio Rudiger 's header in the 115th minute proved decisive, setting up a final clash against either Barcelona or Atletico Madrid.
Real Sociedad, who entered the match trailing 1-0 from the first leg, took an early lead through Ander Barrenetxea, but Endrick equalised with a well-executed chip. The visitors then surged ahead through a David Alaba own goal and Mikel Oyarzabal's deflected effort. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel.
SUBSCRIBE NOW! Madrid fought back with goals from Jude Bellingham and Aurelien Tchouameni. Oyarzabal's stoppage-time header forced extra time, but Rudiger 's late header sealed Madrid's progression. "I'm very happy because it was a really hard game with many comebacks and in the end my goal," Rudiger told Real Madrid TV.
"For me (the goal) was easy, (I made a) good movement, the corner was very good and because of that we're in the final. It's a hard season but we're in another final and we will win it." Carlo Ancelotti started with Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes, while Kylian Mbappe began on the bench.
Endrick, who scored the only goal in the first leg, started in an all-Brazilian attack. The 18-year-old Endrick showed early promise with a dangerous overhead kick that went wide of Alex Remiro's post. Barrenetxea broke through to score after receiving Pablo Marin's flick-on, levelling the tie on aggregate.
Madrid responded quickly when Vinicius' excellent outside-of-the-foot pass found Endrick, who scored his fifth goal in the competition with a delicate lob over Romero. Ancelotti introduced Mbappe for Endrick seeking more goals. Real Sociedad created better chances, with Andriy Lunin making a crucial save from Martin Zubimendi.
The visitors took the lead when Alaba deflected Marin's cross into his own net. They extended their advantage through Oyarzabal's deflected shot off Alaba. Madrid responded through Bellingham, who converted Vinicius' cross after the Brazilian's skillful turn.
Tchouameni's header, fumbled by Remiro, brought Madrid level. Oyarzabal's header from Sergio Gomez's free-kick in the 93rd minute forced extra time. "I thought it should have been a red card," said Ancelotti, referring to Jon Olagasti's booking for fouling Vinicius.
"It was an entertaining game with a lot of goals, a lot of errors and a lot of good things," Ancelotti added. "The objective is completed and we're in the final again." The second semi-final between Atletico Madrid and Barcelona, currently tied at 4-4 on aggregate, will be played on Wednesday.
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