Madrid derby: How Real edged out Atletico to reach Super Cup final in 8-goal thriller

In the dying seconds of the blockbuster showdown, as the final whistle loomed, Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak made a daring move, venturing into Real Madrid's penalty box in a last-ditch effort to equalize from a corner, with his team trailing 4-3. However, Oblak's efforts fell short as he failed to make contact with the ball. 

To add insult to injury, Real winger Brahim Diaz seized the opportunity to initiate a counter-attack. The 24-year-old managed to outrun Oblak and calmly curved the ball into the empty net, extinguishing any remaining suspense and securing his team's spot in the final of the Spanish Super Cup. It served as the perfect culmination of a frenetic encounter, which was a true spectacle, packed with ups and downs and boasting a total of eight goals. 

By the end, both teams appeared utterly exhausted, and it felt like a distant memory that Atletico had begun the game with such a strong advantage. Samuel Lino came close to breaking the deadlock early on with a powerful strike, only to be denied by Kepa Arrizabalaga's save. Nevertheless, Kepa was left helpless when Antoine Griezmann lofted a corner into the box, and defender Mario Hermoso rose above everyone else, unleashing a towering header that flew past the keeper and gave Atletico the lead in the seventh minute.

Real were struggling to find their rhythm in the early stages, but their resilience against their fierce rivals is well-documented. They duly found an equalizer as Jude Bellingham's shot took a fortunate deflection and went wide, leading to a corner. From that set piece, Luka Modric delivered a pinpoint cross, and Antonio Rudiger rose to head the ball into the net, leveling the score.

Not content with just an equalizer, Real then showcased their attacking prowess. A well-executed team move finished in an astute flick from Ferland Mendy, guiding the ball into the back of the net and propelling Real into the lead. It was a goal of sheer brilliance, beautifully improvised by Mendy. What followed, however, surpassed even that moment.  

Atletico talisman Antoine Griezmann deceived three Real players with a mesmerizing turn that seemed to conjure a space out of thin air. With the path cleared, he unleashed a stunning long-range strike that soared past Kepa and into the net. This goal marked Griezmann's 174th for Atletico, surpassing the legendary Luis Aragones as the club's all-time leading scorer.

But the drama was far from over. In the 78th minute, Atletico once again took the lead in a goal that was equal parts unexpected and nonsensical. Kepa, in a weak attempt to punch away a cross, leaped over Alvaro Morata, only to inadvertently deflect the ball onto Rudiger's leg and back into his own net. While Kepa may have momentarily felt disheartened, he did not have to wait long for a lift-up. 

With just six minutes remaining on the clock, Vinicius Junior burst forward down the left flank, accelerating into the penalty area. Oblak managed to save his initial shot, and Stefan Savic made a crucial block on Bellingham's follow-up attempt. However, Dani Carvajal was quick to pounce on the loose ball, slamming it into the net to make it 3-3 and and forced extra-time. The relentless excitement and twists in this match seemed never-ending. 

After being pegged back three times, a deep sense of frustration consumed Atletico. Their attempts to hold on became increasingly futile, and the manner in which they ultimately succumbed was particularly cruel. With a mere four minutes to go, Savic's blocking took an awkward bounce, eluding Atletico's own goalkeeper Oblak and finding its way into the back of the net. This comical turn of events dealt a devastating blow to Atletico's hopes of victory.

As the minutes ticked away, Atletico launched a desperate pursuit to salvage the game. Oblak, compelled to join the chase, had to backtrack amid the chaos. Their last glimmer of opportunity then vanished before their eyes as Diaz accelerated away, leaving Atletico bereft of a chance to turn the tide.

On the other hand, Real will go head-to-head with either Barcelona or Osasuna in the final on Sunday, depending on the outcome of the other semifinal clash. Should Barcelona triumph, it would set the scene for a second consecutive El Clasico final, reminiscent of last year's encounter where Barcelona emerged victorious with a 3-1 scoreline.