Atlético Madrid - Real Madrid summary: extra time, score, goals & highlights, Copa del Rey Round of 16
Atlético Madrid - Real Madrid: as it happened
Where do I begin?
Is it even worth analysing this game?
What a sensational game of football between two sides that showed each other their brilliance in different ways, although it may well be the mistakes that end up defining this clash between cross-city rivals.
The first half of normal time ended *checks notes* 1-1 after mistakes from Rüdiger and Oblak allowed each side to score, before the real madness ensued.
The second half was another crazy 45 minutes, with Morata putting his side ahead after a Lunin error, before Joselu levelled things up with little time to go, taking the game to extra time.
As we ticked over into minute 100, a Vinicius Jr mistake led Griezmann to receive the ball on the right wing to score the goal of the game, and possibly thr round and even the entire tournament. He took the ball on the sideline and burst inside, racing around his marker before crashing a lightning bolt off the bar and in to set the stadium bouncing again.
Madrid pushed and pushed, but it was not to be. Eventually, after throwing everything they had at the red and white wall, an Atlético counter caught Los Blancos off guard and Rodrigo Riquelme sent his side into the quarter-finals with only a few minutes left on the clock.
Have you had enough Madrid derbies?
We've had almost 250 minutes of Madrid derbies in the past week... so how do they expect us to wait an entire 17 days for the next one?
Yes, that's true.
It will soon be Real Madrid's turn to play host as they welcome Atlético Madrid to the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu on February 4 for a fascinating LaLiga clash. The football really never does stop.
Bellingham's derbi numbers:
Despite the loss and the Atlético revenge for the Super Cup, the Birmingham boy still managed to put up some simply stunning numbers.
I know what you're thinking.
Find out when and where to watch the quarterfinal draw for the 2023-2024 Copa del Rey quarter-finals.
Atlético Madrid knock out Real Madrid!
Cholo Simeone's side are into the Copa del Rey quarter finals!
2 added minutes.
The stands are bouncing in the rain. What a sensational noise from the fans.
A simple counter attack: Atlético set off down the right before switching to the left where Memphis slipped Riquelme in, and his shot to the far post sailed past Lunin.
RODRIGO RIQUELME
The crosses from Los Blancos have all been poor over the past 120 seconds.
Madrid have their opponents pinned in their own box and are firing cross after cross into the area.
The ball bounced kindly in the box for the German but his shot was always rising...
RÜDIGER OVER THE BAR
More changes for the home side:
OFF: Azpilicueta (injured)
ON: Savic
Brahim's cross is cleared...
Witsel is booked for the foul.
Vinicius is brought down close to halfway.
The ball pin-balled into the box and landed at the feet of Bellingham - but the player was indeed behind the red and white defence.
BELLINGHAM WAS OFFSIDE
OFFSIDE!!!!!!
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLL
MADRID DRAW LEVEL!!!!!!!
Real Madrid are pushing Atlético further and further back into their defensive third...
CHANCE FOR REAL MADRID
Kroos' cross is met by Bellingham, who gets a touch on the ball from the left but his shot is caressed calmly into the palms of Oblak.
This game has lost everything: structure, shape, fundamental physics that keep the spacetime continuum together... it's pure madness with players sliding in from all sides. If a fan ran on with a full kit and started to play, I don't think anyone would notice.
Ceballos gets an early touch but his pass on the edge of Atleti's box is too heavy and Brahim can't make contact.
Here we go, again... again!
Into the final 15 minutes of this sensational battle!
Cholo's changes:
OFF: De Paul
ON: Azpilicueta
Real Madrid changes:
OFF: Nacho, Camavinga
ON: Ceballos, Fran García
An on-pitch team talk. One of the many wonderful things in football.
Half-time in extra time!
Well, well, well!
Atlético are ahead and have just 15 minutes to go!
1 added minute. Corner to Real Madrid.
Into the final minute of the first half of extra-time.
Real Madrid are pushing and the Atleti fans are fighting back with noise...
We're back underway and if Madrid brought a kitchen sink with them from the Bernabéu, they need to throw it at this game which has a rapidly ticking clock.
It's a mistake from Vinicius, who loses out on halfway. The ball finds the French forward on the right side and he drives inside, hugging the touchline and the byline and his holds off the challenges from the defenders.
From close range, with the angles almost unmeasurably small, he thunders a ferocious shot into the goal, cracking the crossbar on the way!
Ouch. De Paul stands on Carvajal's toe and somehow escapes a yellow.
We're into minute 100 of the game, which is always fun.
A shocking mistake from Tchouaméni who fluffs his pass from the centre out to the left and misses Camavinga by about 10 yards.
Atlético Madrid changes:
OFF: Llorente, Morata
ON: Barrios, Memphis
Superb again from Brahim, this time in defence. The forward races back as the home side counter and he takes the ball from De Paul as the World Cup winner races dangerously towards Lunin.
Madrid have the ball about 45 yards from Atlético's goal and are biding their time, waiting for an opening.
Tchouaméni goes for goal from distance but it's blocked by a centre-back. Atleti ready to make more changes.
First shot of extra-time comes from Llorente from distance as Atleti attack. Lunin spills but collects the ball.
Sensational stuff from Brahim, who squiggles through various challenges down the middle of the pitch, somehow keeping the ball at his feet despite the legs stabbing at him like angry seagulls after the last chip on Brighton beach.
And we're off, again!
Real Madrid get us going for 30 more minutes of football.
My thoughts at full-time:
I think overall a draw is a fair result. Three mistakes have cost three goals and a Bellingham/Vini Jr combination gave Madrid a late equaliser.
Apart from the goals, it's been a hugely intense game that's threatened to spill over at times, with 10 (I think) yellow cards shown by the Señor referee, who has just about managed to hold the game together.
Now we've got extra-time and 30 more minutes of a fabulous rivalry...
Full-time!
Extra-time, here we come!
One last attack fro Atleti... saved by Lunin!
Into the final minute before extra time.
Vini gets on the ball at the far post and sends it across goal where it's deflected towards goal and wide!
Atleti defend the subsequent corner well.
WHAT A CHANCE FOR REAL MADRID
Real Madrid are launching one last offensive against the Atlético defence. The crosses are coming from all sides as the clock ticks on.
Cholo switches up:
OFF: Samu Lino
ON: Rodrigo Riquelme
4 added minutes goes up on the board.
We're tiptoeing into the final minute of normal time: Real Madrid clear the free-kick.
Nacho is booked for the foul on Morata.
Atleti have a free-kick on the left that they're going to send into the box.
Atlético do what they do best: head away cross after cross...
Cries for a foul go up as Los Rojiblancos break away - and it's given.
Bellingham is booked and I've just lip read what he said after realising the referee's decision had in fact gone against him. I'd tell you, dear reader, but this is a family-friendly live feed.
Eek. Tchouaméni is booked after flying into a foul on Lino who crashes to the ground. That one will hurt in the morning.
Back underway and we're all square once again.
GOAL GIVEN
Cholo Simeone is booked.
Madrid counter, Vini slides Bellingham down the left and the Englishman sends a perfectly weighted ball to the far post for Joselu to head into goal!
HUGE SAVE FROM LUNIN
Morata got on the end of a cross, was 1vs1 with the goalkeeper, and somehow his shot was saved!
Giménez gets a huge header on the ball floated into the box by Kroos and Real Madrid see a decent chance go to waste.
Madrid make another change:
OFF: Rodrygo
ON: Joselu
Koke booked for a shove on Rodrygo right on the edge of Atlético's box, just to the right side.
Atleti are coming strong against as Real Madrid officially look tired. Joselu is preparing to come on.
Rodrigo De Paul goes into the book of Señor Cuadra Fernández for a tug on a white shirt.
Another nervy moment for Lunin as Atleti attack and he fumbles at a clearance...
It's delightful from Real Madrid and Atleti somehow survive: Rodrygo receives inside the box and stabs a shot towards goal that is deflected away and onto the crossbar as Oblak can only stand and watch!
RODRYGO OFF THE BAR!!!
Madrid's positive move breaks down after Brahim puts just too much on the ball out to Carvajal, who hasn't got the energy to chase it down.
Another Madrid change:
OFF: Valverde
ON: Tchouaméni
Nacho, who actually had a knee injury, looks OK to carry on.
Tchouaméni has come off the bench and is preparing to be introduced onto the pitch.
Nacho has hurt himself in his nachos.
Twenty minutes to go and Madrid need a spark from somewhere to get back into the game. Things look a little stodgy right now as Atlético comfortably defend in their own half.
Brahim is brought down and a tussle ensues. Hermoso and Brahim are both booked.
Real Madrid seem to have lost the fizz that they had in the first half... I think they may even look a little tired.
Ancelotti moves his pieces:
OFF: Mendy, Modric
ON: Brahim, Kroos
Camavinga is now at left-back.
Atlético are playing keep-ball as Real Madrid chase across the pitch. Morata finds an inch on the edge of the box before sending his shot into Row Q.
Brahim will be on shortly for Los Blancos.
While we wait for an Atleti player to get off the floor, I'll just let you know that it was Camavinga who stuck a toe in only for the ball to spin dangerously behind his own defence, and Lunin did indeed get an incredibly weak paw on the ball before watching it flap past him to Morata.
Since the goal, Atlético Madrid have noticeably dropped off, and are allowing Madrid a lot of space in their half. It's probably not a great idea...
Back underway... Real Madrid in probing mode.
It's another goalkeeper mistake!
The ball is catastrophically deflected behind Madrid's defensive line by a white shirt and Lunin fails to collect, allowing Morata in to tap home and send the Metropolitano crowd wild!
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLL
MORATA SCORES FOR ATLÉTICO MADRID
Atlético Madrid make the first move:
OFF: Saúl
ON: Nahuel Molina
Camavinga gets a booking for sarcastically applauding Señor Cuadra Fernández for blowing for a foul.
Atlético are preparing to make a change...
Bellingham, Rodrygo and Vinicius are swirling fighter jets, slicing through Atlético's defence as they scramble back again. The ex-Flamengo man wins a corner which Modric places on Rüdiger's head, but the shot is weak and Oblak catches.
SAVE FROM OBLAK
Camavinga ice skates like an Olympian through the middle of the pitch, dodging all the amateurs who keep falling over around him. The Frenchman then slides a pass through Atleti's defensive line towards Vini, but Oblak races out and collects.
Vini Jr's cross from the left side is poor and easily cleared but it was, once again, a lovely team move from Ancelotti's side, swiping the ball both left and right before Nacho released the Brazilian down the wing.
CHANCE FOR REAL MADRID
Jude Bellingham dances past two players inside the box and hits a low cross across goal that is cleared away. Superb footwork from the Englishman.
CHANCE FOR REAL MADRID
Rodrygo bursts down the right side and fires a low drive towards goal that Oblak sends behind for a corner!
Second half underway!
Atlético get us going for the second period.
Here come the players!
No changes for either side as of yet.
Did you know?
· Antoine Griezmann ranks in the top 3 Atlético players with the most goals scored against Real Madrid (8)
· Rodrygo can reach 50 goals with Real Madrid with one tonight
· A win for the home side would give Atlético their 275th win in the Copa del Rey
Half-time stats:
ATM-RMA
Possession: 47:53
Shots: 7-6
Shots on target: 3-2
Fouls: 9-2
Accurate passes (%): 89-91
Tackles: 14-6
Clearances: 7-14
(Sofascore)
We may have our answer...
MisterChip is saying that it was indeed Señor Oblak who got the final touch, which would make him the second own goal scorer against Real Madrid after Reina in 1974 and, erm, Oblak in 2020.
Who scored Real Madrid's goal?
We don't actually know who got the final touch: Real Madrid say it's Oblak, some are saying Saúl and for now, neither Atlético nor the RFEF have made a decision.
Half-time thoughts:
Two mistakes, two goals.
It's been an incredibly even half of football in the Spanish capital, with Los Blancos just about edging it in terms of dominance.
Chances for the away side have been more frequent, with Bellingham even hitting the bar, but that's not to take away from Simeone's side, who have played super stuff at times.
Lino opened the scoring out of nowhere before the break after Rüdiger misguided header landed at his feet inside the box; Real Madrid equalised moments later when Oblak came flying out of his box... only to miss the ball and watch it bounce over his head into the goal.
Overall, a draw at the break is probably fair, and the team that makes the least number of mistakes will probably be the one who advances into the next round,
Half-time!
All square at the break!
Half time being just round the corner is probably a good thing, as everyone just needs a nice quiet sit down and a glass of orange juice. The referee is borderline losing control...
Back underway.
The long free-kick is sent in towards goal and Oblak comes out to collect, misses the ball and watching it bounce over his outstretched hands and intoan empty net!
1 added minute.
Vini Jr gets a booking, presumably for saying naughty words to Señor Cuadra Fernández.
We had a bit of a hold up there for a Bellingham foul on Griezmann. Both players played a bit of brinkmanship but in the end, both involved realised just how lovely the other one is.
Real Madrid push just about everyone forward and squeeze Atleti into their own box like an octopus in a jam jar.
We're back underway.
The ball over the top of the Madrid defence is mistakenly headed back towards goal by Rüdiger and Lino, who slides on the floor, gets on the end of it, tapping underneath Lunin!
SAMU LINOOOOO
CHANCE FOR REAL MADRID
Valverde catches a dropping ball and fires the neutron cannon towards Oblak, who collects.
CHANCE FOR REAL MADRID
Rodrygo bursts down the right and his cross is too far away for Oblak to collect as it whizzes past his defenders before Witsel taps it out for a corner.
Rodrygo's effort on goal skims off the wall and over the goal. Corner...
A half chance for the home side as a pair of crosses come in from Lino that are defended by Rüdiger and Mendy. Real Madrid counter and Bellingham is brought down by Saúl, right on the edge of the Atleti box.
Modric and Rodrygo are over the ball...
So far, Atlético are giving Barcelona a masterclass in how to defend long balls over the top. Witsel, Hermoso and Giménez have been there every time.
Morata goes to ground when he should have played left to De Paul on the edge of the box. It's a decent chance wasted and Simeone is not happy about the forward's decision.
Patient play from Madrid gets cut out as Vini's first touch is poor - he did just too much by trying to take it round Giménez on the turn. Madrid had built up nicely and managed to drag some Atlético players out of position in a positive move.
Saúl goes for goal... from his own half. Lunin was off his line but the effort was one of those that gets 'my [insert family member] could do better' comments from 'hilarious' balding men in the stands.
Bellingham, Vini Jr and Rodrygo link up well and the number '7' sees his close range shot blocked out for a corner.
The contrast between the two managers on the sideline tells you everything you need to know about their personalities: Ancelotti hasn't even raised an eyebrow while Simeone has had his jacket ripped off since minute 4.
Rodrygo is seeing huge amounts of the ball on the right wing as he goes up against Mario Hermoso time and time again. I wouldn't want to be the defender right now...
Atlético are having a nice couple of minutes of possession - they've got Real Madrid pinned back and are finding some nice passing lines in and around the box as they probe for an opening like a curious alien.
Vini Jr's chips over the Atlético defence to Rodrygo, who takes it down on his chest and fires a volley at Oblak.
Vinicius races in behind to smash the rebound towards goal but once again the huge octopus is in goal to stretch his tentacles and stop the shot from close range!
TWO HUGE SAVES FROM OBLAK!!!!!
Mario Hermoso is doing a good job of pushing into the midfield and helping his friends in the buildup. It's giving Modric the runaround and with Griezmann dropping into similar spaces, it's clear to see Atleti's plan is to plug the middle third.
The intensity of this game is pure madness. There are plenty of mistakes being made due to the nerves and ferocious speed of the play at all times. I'm surprised there's still any air left inside the stadium and we're not even 20 minutes in.
It's a sensational intervention from Camavinga, who slides in fantastically well on Griezmann to stop a dangerous Atleti move. Los Blancos counter and the ball is eventually stabbed out of play by Saúl on the edge of the box.
Atlético are holding onto the ball as they try to calm both their legs and the crowd, who are shaking like one huge jelly pot.
WHAT AN EFFORT FROM BELLINGHAM
Modric's cross is poor and comes back to him where he chips forward to Bellingham down the right channel. The Englishman slips inside, leaving Witsel looking for his dignity on the floor, before taking the ball on his left foot and crunching a shot off the bar from close range!
BELLINGHAM OFF THE BAR
Madrid counter... and Rodrygo wins a free-kick after being brought down by De Paul. The free-kick is quite a distance away and off to the right, but they've got the perfect Croatian to whip the ball in.
Gasps and groans from the crowd as Llorente fires a low crossdiagonally towards Lunin and Morata.
Unfortunately for the striker he can't get a toe on the ball and the goalkeeper collects.
Rodrygo goes on a mazy run down the right, teasing about 3 Atleti players before dragging the ball closer to his body and skipping past them. Eventually he loses out due to pure numbers and the home side break before seeing their move break down on halfway.
The passing from Atlético has been incredibly sharp and precise in the first few moments of the game: they're finding spaces in all the thirds, both centrally and out wide. Granted, Madrid aren't pressing like locos, but it's positive stuff nevertheless from the home side.
Madrid's first positive touches see them work the ball from left to right before Saúl gets the better of Modric to send the ball out of play.
Atlético Madrid are playing through the Madrid press in the opening stages as the home side's back three gives them an extra man advantage in the build-up.
Lino advances down the left, unchallenged, and sends in the first cross of the game.
Mendy clears the ball as it flies past Morata.
Right from the off, both Modric and Bellingham are playing much higher than Camavinga and Valverde, who are plonked nicely in front of the defence.
And we're off!
The away side get us going from left to right!
Before we begin...
We've got a moment of reflection in honour of Jorge Griffa, an ex-Atlético Madrid player and Newell's Old Boys legend.
I'm pleased to see Nacho and Koke, the two captains, wearing the stunning remakes of the Adidas Predators. Yummy.
What a noise inside the Cívitas Metropolitano!
The players are in the tunnel!
In other news, Barcelona are through to the Copa del Rey quarter-finals after beating Unionistas 1-3.
The light show has begun!
Honestly, I'm not a fan of light shows, as you may know. And this one's no different. Sunglasses on and wait until it's over.
The players are in the dressing rooms!
Both sides have made their way down the tunnel to the dressing rooms for the final team talk ahead of kick-off!
Atleti warming up!
The home side's warmups are well underway ahead of kick-off in the Spanish capital!
The starting XIs:
Here's one last look ahead of kick-off of how the two teams are set to start the game:
REAL MADRID:
GK: Lunin
DEF: Carvajal - Rüdiger - Nacho (c) - Mendy
MID: Camavinga - Modric - Valverde - Bellingham
ATT: Vini Jr - Rodrygo
ATLÉTICO MADRID:
GK: Oblak
DEF: Llorente - Giménez - Witsel - Hermoso - Lino
MID: Koke - Saúl - De Paul
ATT: Morata - Griezmann
COPA DEL REY GOAL UPDATE:
Alejandro Balde has made it 3-1 to Barcelona against Unionistas.
A final reminder of our poll...
Remember that you can vote in the Atlético Madrid - Real Madrid prediction poll which is still live on our Twitter feed. Feel free as well, if you're feeling brave, to give us your predictions on how the game might go.
The players are on the pitch
Here is the welcome for Los Blancos from the Atleti fanbase inside the Cívitas Metropolitano!
How to watch the game:
Remember, dear reader, if you fancy watching the game on your TV or streaming device, then check out this handy guide with everything you need to know.
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The game is, as Ancelotti mentioned in his press conference, a one-legged affair today, withextra-time and penalties after 90 minutes if things are still level.
This is the second time in two years that the two sides have played each other in the Copa. Last season, Madrid progressed from the quarter-finals with a 3-1 win at the Bernabéu and went on to secure the trophy. “We're expecting an even tougher derby than the Super Cup,” added Ancelotti in the press conference ahead of the derby.
Half an hour to go!
The players have just stepped out onto the Metropolitano pitch for the pre-match warmups!
COPA DEL REY GOAL UPDATE:
Jules Koundé has just fired Barcelona ahead and they're now1-2up against Unionistas with just over 20 minutes to go.
Carlo Ancelotti press conference highlights:
Every game is different and [it] is a knockout game, not a league game. We have to consider that too. There might be extra time or penalties. Whatever has happened in the previous matches, doesn't come into play.
I like the atmosphere at this club and in this dressing room. The key to success is the calm atmosphere, a motivated group and a strong team spirit. We also play good football, we're solid and have clear ideas. These are the three components that enable you to be successful: a motivated atmosphere, a strong team spirit and playing good football.
If we don't win the derby tomorrow, we'll come down from that cloud. Danger comes when you don't get what you want. You have to be ready for that and prepared. It's a very good run and I don't know when it'll stop, but it will. We can't win every game. When it does, we have to get out of it quickly.
We've had a lot of injuries and we've stuck it out because the squad is very strong. There is a great deal of competition in training sessions and they're very intense. This allows us to be in good physical condition.
[Vinicius Jr] is back to his best following the injury. He's learning to play a bit more centrally and that makes him even more dangerous and less predictable than playing out wide. He links up very well with Rodrygo and I liked what he's been doing more than the three goals.
Real Madrid's last loss...
Real Madrid’s last loss in all competitions came against Atlético Madrid at the Cívitas Metropolitano in LaLiga.
It happened backinSeptember, and since then, they’ve shown themselves to be a world class outfit with an incredibly diverse and deep squad. Here are a few stats from the fantastic @LaPausa_Pod:
· 21 games unbeaten (W18 D3)
· 56goalsscored, 17 conceded
· Not trailed by more than one goal
· An average of 4 starting XI changes per game
45 minutes until kick-off!
If you've just joined us, welcome along! Here are how the two teams will line up today:
REAL MADRID:
GK: Lunin
DEF: Carvajal - Rüdiger - Nacho (c) - Mendy
MID: Camavinga - Modric - Valverde - Bellingham
ATT: Vini Jr - Rodrygo
ATLÉTICO MADRID:
GK: Oblak
DEF: Llorente - Giménez - Witsel - Hermoso - Lino
MID: Koke - Saúl - De Paul
ATT: Morata - Griezmann
Real Madrid arrive at the stadium!
Los Blancos have arrived at the Cívitas Metropolitano ahead of kick-off!
Interesting results coming in from the AS USA community...
Our Twitter following are currently giving their verdict and safe to say that it's a lot tighter than I expected!
Jump on the socials and join in!
Which teams are already through to the Copa del Rey quarter finals?
The winner of this game will take the final place in the Copa del Rey quarter final line-up alongside the teams below, plus one of Unionistas and Barcelona (which is currently 1-1):
Athletic
Sevilla
Celta de Vigo
Real Sociedad
Girona
Mallorca
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Never does a champion - of any trophy - go through a game without the question of the pasillo.
The guard of honour, as it’s known in English, is a recurring theme of every season in Spain and to be honest, I’d get rid of it.
The debate comes round every time a team wins a trophy of whether or not the opposition should stand in a line and clap them onto the pitch. The last time I went into AS USA Towers on my birthday over summer, did the security guard give me a guard of honour? Well, he might have done, but that’s not the point.
Has Carvajal been Real Madrid's player of the season?
The right-back has been one of Real Madrid's most solid players of the season and against both Atlético Madrid and Barcelona in the recent Super Cup, he was simply unplayable in both games.
He kept Lino quiet and got 2 assists and a goal against los rojiblancos in the semi-final in Saudi Arabia - can he replicate that performance again today?
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What happened last time the two sides played?
You know what happened, right?
It was only the best game of the season so far! Los Blancos ran out 5-3 winners against their city rivals with a fantastic showing of energy, spirit and pure, raw talent as Atlético Madrid kept pushing back at them every time they struck.
It took extra-time and a lot of goals to finally separate the two in a game that felt like everyone watching also had a kick of the ball at some point. Let’s hope for the same again tonight!
ATLÉTICO MADRID XI REVEALED:
Here's how Cholo has decided to start the game tonight:
GK: Oblak
DEF: Lino - Hermoso - Witsel - Giménez - Llorente
MID: Koke - De Paul - Saúl
ATT: Morata - Griezmann
Bellingham on his own
As usual, the Englishman is going through his now typical pre-match routine of visualising the action on the pitch before it happens.
How they got here:
Simeone's side reached the last 16 after beating Lugo away in the previous round (1-3) thanks to a double from Depay and a goal from Correa. Leandro Antonetti had equalised for the home team but in the end, the LaLiga squad was too much for the Primera Federación side.
_____
As for Real Madrid, they beat Arandina by the same score, with quickfire goals from Joselu and Brahim before Rodrygo made it 0-3 in added time.
A minute later, Arandina got a huge cheer as Nacho put the ball in his own net seconds before the final whistle.
Get involved!
We've got a Twitter poll up and running for you to have your say and getinvolved ahead of kick-off. Give us your thoughts on how you think the game will go!
Ahead of kick-off at the Metropolitano, we’ve got Unionistas taking on Barcelona in a potential ban-arça skin game…. Get it? It works better when spoken, so say it out loud.
Anyway, the fantastic Unionistas get to welcome the Catalans to their Salamanca home in a Copa del Rey tie that Xavi does not want to mess up.
The boss of the blaugrana has been under significant pressure since his Clásico drubbing last Sunday and since then he’s been licking his wounds and hiding under a sheet of corrugated iron as the shells rain down on his head.
THOMAS COEX / AFP
Who's the ref?
Oh no! The referee for this game is, checks notes, Señor Guillermo Cuadra Fernández.
This is terrible for your team, right? No.
Cuadra Fernández is a 40-year-old referee from the Madrid region who is overseeing today’s tie. It’s his first time as the main official in a Madrid derby although he was in charge of the VAR in the league game earlier in the season.
This time round, the lucky human in charge of the VAR duties is none other than Señor Pablo González Fuertes.
REAL MADRID XI CONFIRMED:
Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed his Real Madrid starting XI for the game.
GK: Lunin
DEF: Carvajal - Rüdiger - Nacho (c) - mendy
MID: Camavinga - Valverde - Modric - Bellingham
ATT: Vini Jr - Rodrygo
If you fancy watching the game on your TV or streaming device, then check out this handy guide with everything you need to know.
The stage is set!
We are not in Saudi Arabia anymore, Toto. Thank your deity of choice that the Middle Eastern excursion is over for another year and we’re back in the delightful Spanish capital, playing Spanish football.
The Cívitas Metropolitano is the wonderful home of Los Rojiblancos and is the host of today’s bumper tie between these two beasts of the beautiful game.
The 70,000-seater ground was taken over by Atlético Madrid in 2017 as they left their Vicente Calderón home at the other end of the city.
Team news: Atlético Madrid
Cholo Simeone’s side are all fit and healthy apart from ThomasLemar, who remains out with an achilles injury.
The other absence is Reinildo, who is away on AFCONduty with the mighty Mozambique.
Team news: Real Madrid
The team news at this stage of the season for Los Blancos is as follows: Lucas, Courtois, Militão and Alaba are all still out, while Rodrygo has made the squad despite a little scare earlier in the week when the winger was spotted training alone.
Didn't these two teams just play each other?
No dear reader, you have not pressed the wrong button in your DeLorean, this is in fact a Madrid derby that has nothing to do with the one played just a few days ago: that was the Spanish Super Cup and this is the Copa del Rey, a fixture quirk brought up by nothing other than the football fixture supercomputer.
Just wait till you see who plays who on February 4...
Welcome!
Hello and warm welcome to the AS USA live text coverage of the game between Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey Round of 16!
It’s Joe here to bring you all the live build-up as well as the minute by minute coverage and all the fallout of this derbi madrileño!