Real Madrid welcomed Atletico Madrid to the Bernabeu for the second leg of their last-16 Copa del Rey clash on Thursday.
Atletico entered the tie as the favourites to advance to the quarter-finals following a 2-0 victory at the Vicente Calderon in the first leg last week.
Atletico took the lead on the night inside one minute when Fernando Torres found the top corner, but Sergio Ramos levelled the scores with a header after 20 minutes.
Torres was at it again minutes into the second half - netting his second to leave the home side needing four goals to advance. Cristiano Ronaldo made it 2-2 just eight minutes later, but that was where the scoring ended as Atletico booked their spot in the last eight.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live Copa del Rey coverage continues from the Bernabeu as Real Madrid welcome Atletico Madrid for the second leg of their last-16 clash. Atletico will enter the tie as the favourites to advance following their 2-0 win in the first leg last week, but I have a feeling that this one is far from done and dusted. Let's hope for another enthralling night of Copa action from Spain!
Right, before anything else, let me present the all-important team news...
TEAMS
REAL: Navas; Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; Kroos, Isco, James; Ronaldo, Benzema, Bale
ATLETICO: Oblak; Juanfran, Miranda, Godin, Siqueira; Suarez, Tiago, Koke; Garcia, Torres, Griezmann
So there we have it. As expected, Real Madrid are at full-strength this evening, with Cristiano Ronaldo returning to the attack alongside Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale. Dani Carvajal also returns at right-back, while James Rodriguez and Isco will start alongside Toni Kroos in midfield.
Atletico boss Diego Simeone, meanwhile, has recalled Miranda at centre-back, meaning that Jose Gimenez drops to the bench. There is also a spot in attack for Fernando Torres, but Croatian Mario Mandzukic is not involved. Gabi also starts on the bench due to Mario Suarez's involvement.
In total, Atletico and Real Madrid have met 41 times in the Copa del Rey, with Los Blancos winning 17 times to Atletico's 11. Last season, Real recorded a 5-0 aggregate win to advance to the final, where they beat Barcelona. However, in the 2012-13 season, Atletico won the final against Real.
As mentioned above, Atletico will enter this match as the favourites to advance following a 2-0 win in the first leg last week. Both goals came in the second period, with Raul Garcia netting from the spot and Jose Gimenez scoring a header. As a result, Real Madrid have it all to do this evening.
Real Madrid have won just one of the last six meetings between the two sides, with Atletico winning three and the further match ending in a draw. Atletico have also already beaten Real Madrid at the Bernabeu this season, with the Spanish champions claiming a 2-1 victory back in September.
Before their September meeting, the two sides also faced off in the Spanish Super Cup. The first leg ended in a 1-1 draw at the Bernabeu, before Atletico won 1-0 at the Vicente Calderon to claim the trophy. Real Madrid had it all their own way for so many years, but this is a different Atletico.
In terms of Copa del Rey success, Atletico have won the competition on 10 occasions, while they have also finished runners-up nine times. Real Madrid, meanwhile, have won the trophy 19 times. Barcelona have the most titles with 26, but in second position, a little surprisingly, is Athletic Bilbao on 23.
In truth, both sides have had fairly simple routes to this stage of the competition. Atletico overcame L'Hospitalet 5-2 on aggregate, while Real Madrid thumped Cornella 9-1. The winner of this tie will face either Barcelona or Elche in the next round. They do not meet until later this evening, but Barcelona lead 5-0 on aggregate. Bar a monumental collapse, Barca will be waiting in the quarters.
Real Madrid will enter this match off the back of a 3-0 win over Espanyol at the weekend. That result ended a run of back-to-back defeats and left the capital side top of La Liga on 42 points. As it stands, they are four points clear of third-place Atletico and one clear of Barcelona, with a game in hand.
The only blot on their home form this season came against Atletico, with that 2-1 reverse the only time they have lost at the Bernabeu this term. Real's away form has also been very strong, with seven wins from their nine matches in the league – scoring an extremely impressive 32 times in the process.
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After this match, Real Madrid face both Getafe and Cordoba, before embarking on a vital run of games. They welcome Real Sociedad before the end of the month and will then face Sevilla and Atletico in the league. February also sees the return of the Champions League, with Schalke 04 waiting.
Atletico, meanwhile, also return to Champions League action next month against Bayer Leverkusen. Their next three in the league are against Granada, Rayo Vallecano and Eibar, before they welcome Real Madrid on February 7. Both sides are entering a vital period of the season there is no question of that.
Atletico will, however, enter this match off the back of a hugely disappointing 3-1 defeat at Barcelona at the weekend. Diego Simeone's side won the league title at the Camp Nou last season, but suffered defeat this time around. As a result, they have lost a little bit of ground in the title race.
Truth be told, the Copa del Rey is third on both sides' list of priorities this season, but it is a chance to secure the first major trophy of the season in Spain. Just a reminder that the winner of this tie will meet Barcelona (or Elche?!) in the next round and therefore progress to the final will not be easy.
Incidentally, if Atletico were to win tonight then it will be the first time in 102 years that they would have won four matches in a row against Real Madrid. How about that for a statistic?!
PREDICTION! I really fancy Real Madrid here. Carlo Ancelotti has recalled all his big guns and you just get the feeling that they have a bit of a point to prove. Atletico, on the other hand, are not at full-strength. I think the home side will win 2-1 on the night, but Atletico will advance on aggregate.
Just a reminder that the only score after 90 minutes that can bring extra-time is 2-0 Real Madrid. Away goals indeed count double in the Copa del Rey and therefore one goal for Atletico would place them in a strong position. Right, we are little over five minutes away from kickoff in the Spanish capital.
It must be said that there is a stunning, stunning atmosphere inside the stadium here. Once the pre-match handshakes have been undertaken, we will be ready to get the clash underway.
Ronaldo has just shown off his Ballon d'Or to the adoring crowd. Simply the best.
You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be decisive in this tie. One for Atletico would need Real needing four. Right, the home side get the first 45 minutes underway.
GOAL! Real Madrid 0-1 Atletico (Torres)
Oh my good grief! Atletico take the lead inside one minute as Griezmann leads a counter for the away side before finding Torres, who finishes expertly into the top corner. What a start in the capital!
It has been a very sloppy start from the home side. Real Madrid have scored three or more goals in 17 games this season. As it stands, they need four if they are to advance into the quarter-finals.
It has been a decent response from the home side, with Bale delivering a dangerous cross towards the far post, but Miranda is on hand to clear. The resulting corner is met by Pepe, but his header was always rising high and wide of the crossbar. What an opening five minutes to this Madrid derby.
Real Madrid are really forcing the issue at the moment as Carvajal delivers two dangerous crosses into the Atletico box, but the danger is cleared on both occasions. Bale meets another cross from the right-back moments later, but Oblak makes a flying save to keep his early clean sheet in tact.
The possession belongs to Real Madrid, as expected, but Atletico are more than happy to sit in and play on the counter. Benzema finds space at the far post, but his effort is blocked by Siqueira.
Half-chance for the home side as Isco finds some space on the edge of the box, but his effort was always moving away from goal. Real Madrid really need to launch a quick response in terms of a goal.
It is almost like a training match at the moment, with Real Madrid camped in the Atletico half. Eventually Bale delivers from the right, but Oblak is on hand to collect once more. Torres is down the other end moments later, but the Spaniard hits the deck and stays there following a collision with Pepe.
The pressure continues from the home side as Marcelo strikes one on the half-volley, but it is straight into the stands. Just a reminder that Real Madrid need four goals to advance as it stands.
Griezmann looks to have a problem with his shoulder here.
It seems that the Frenchman will be fit to continue following a period of treatment.
Another half-chance for the home side as Bale meets a cross from Marcelo, but his header is up into the air and Oblak is on hand to collect. The opening 17 minutes here have absolutely flown past.
CHANCE! Incredible chance for Real Madrid as a corner from Kroos falls to Ronaldo inside the box, but the Portuguese somehow fails to make contact and Oblak is on hand to smother.
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-1 Atletico (Ramos)
Ramos levels the scores on the night as the Spaniard heads a Kroos free kick into the back of the net. It is poor goalkeeping from Oblak, who came but got absolutely nowhere near the ball. Tie on!
Good grief there is hardly time to take a breath at the moment. The tempo is extraordinary!
Another half-chance for the home side as Bale delivers a dangerous cross towards Benzema, but Godin is on hand to make a brilliant block. All hands to the pump for the Spanish champions at the moment.
CHANCE! Ronaldo comes close to scoring a second for Real Madrid after meeting a low cross from James, but Miranda is on hand to block what would have been a certain goal. Wow!
Atletico have just managed to stem the flow of pressure in the last minute or two as Koke gains a free kick in the Real Madrid half. Koke delivers towards Godin, but the centre-back is ruled offside.
BOOKING! Garcia (Atletico) picks up a booking for a late challenge on James.
That booking for Garcia has been the only card inside 29 minutes. Shock!
CHANCE! Another stunning chance for the home side as Bale finds Ronaldo with a super cross, but Juanfran somehow blocks the header. Atletico are under serious pressure at the moment.
Atletico just cannot keep the ball at the moment as the home side launch another sustained period of pressure, but both Ronaldo and Kroos have efforts blocked inside the box. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining and Atletico are just attempting to slow it down with each set piece.
Just a reminder that Real Madrid still need to score three goals if they are to advance into the quarter-finals, where Barcelona will surely be waiting. Still 1-1 on the night with 34 minutes played.
Real Madrid work the ball from left to right before James delivers a dangerous cross towards Benzema, but Godin is on hand to clear with a stunning header. Another cross comes from the left in the next attack, but Oblak is on hand to collect. Atletico could do with the half-time whistle here.
It is a case of 'anywhere will do' as Atletico somehow survive another onslaught of their box.
Benzema tries the spectacular following a clever header from Bale, but the Frenchman fails to make contact and the away side have a goal-kick. Atletico really need a rest at the moment!
Another half-chance for the home side, again for Benzema, as the Frenchman takes control of a Marcelo cross before turning and striking on goal, but Oblak is on hand to make the save.
Rare half-chance for Atletico as Griezmann drives past two defenders before finding Garcia, but his effort is deflected over for a corner. That is their best spell of possession since the opening minute!
Real Madrid want a penalty as Ronaldo fires the ball at Miranda from close range, but the referee is not interested. It would have been harsh there is no question about that. Still 1-1 on the night.
Marcelo pokes one towards the bottom corner, but Oblak is down to claim. Atletico survive again.
Another half-chance for the home side as Isco dances into the Atletico box, but his effort is deflected over for a corner, which is bundled clear. Atletico really, really need the half-time interval.
We are into the second of two additional minutes and Oblak has the ball in his hands.
Torres tries his luck from outside the box, but flashes one wide of Navas's post.
HALF-TIME: Real Madrid 1-1 Atletico
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period of this second leg to a close, with the two sides level at 1-1. Torres opened the scoring inside one minute for Atletico, but a Ramos header levelled the scores after 20 minutes. As it stands, Atletico lead 3-1 on aggregate in the last-16 clash.
STATS! Real Madrid have dominated the possession with 73%, while they have had an incredible 20 attempts - four of which have been on target. Atletico, meanwhile, have hit the target just once from their three attempts. There has also surprisingly been just one yellow card issued - incredible.
BENCH WATCH! Real Madrid have two obvious attacking options on their bench, with Jese Rodriguez and Javier Hernandez both in reserve. Atletico, meanwhile, are without their leading scorer Mario Mandzukic through illness, but Raul Jimenez, Saul Niguez and Arda Turan are available.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Just a reminder that Real Madrid still need three more goals. It is Atletico that get the second 45 minutes underway.
No changes from either side at the break, which is not much of a surprise at this stage of proceedings. However, I suspect that alterations will occur - on both sides - as the second period develops.
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-2 Atletico (Torres)
Oh my good grief! Torres scored seconds into the first period and has also netted early in the second half. It is poor from Ramos as the centre-back presents the ball to Greizmann inside the Real Madrid half of the field. The Frenchman then feeds Torres, who turns Pepe inside the box before finishing into the bottom corner. Torres is back and Real Madrid now need four to advance into the quarters.
BOOKING! Tiago (Atletico) is booked for a late challenge on James.
CHANCE! Stunning chance for Atletico to score a third as Torres again causes concern inside the Real Madrid box, but Griezmann, who latched onto the loose ball, fired wide of the post. Real Madrid are all over the place at the back as Ramos plays another poor, poor pass.
BOOKING! Godin (Atletico) is booked for a late challenge on Ronaldo.
CHANCE! Ronaldo comes close to levelling the scores as he meets a wicked cross from Marcelo, but Oblak is on hand to make the save, before Godin bundles clear ahead of Benzema.
GOAL! Real Madrid 2-2 Atletico (Ronaldo)
It had to be him didn't it?! Ronaldo levels the scores on the night after meeting a cross from Bale. Now the home side need three goals without reply. What a stunning start to the second period.
BOOKING! Ramos (Real Madrid) is booked for a late challenge on Torres.
Pepe appears to have a problem here as he falls to the ground following a tussle with Garcia.
SUB! Atletico make their first change as two-goal Torres is replaced by Turan.
Pepe is not comfortable at all here and he might not be able to continue.
SUB! Indeed Pepe cannot continue as Varane enters the field.
Ramos has been sensational for Real Madrid in recent months, but the centre-back has had a bit of a stinker here. He cannot seem to stop giving the ball away, which is not helping his side!
Javier Hernandez and Jese Rodriguez are both on the bench for the home side and it would not be a surprise to see those two appear in the next few minutes. It has all gone a little quiet.
Atletico have a free kick just outside the box as Bale brings Garcia to the ground...
... Griezmann fires towards the top corner, but Navas pushes his effort just over the crossbar.
Another half-chance for Atletico as Godin meets the resulting corner from Koke, but his header is high of the crossbar. Just a reminder that Real Madrid still need three goals to turn this tie around.
Ramos meets a deep cross from Bale, but Oblak is on hand to collect with relative ease.
Another half-chance for the home side as Benzema feeds Marcelo outside the box, but his low effort is just wide of the post. Little over 20 minutes of the second period remaining in the capital.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side as Benzema is first to react from a dangerous corner, but the Frenchman clears the crossbar from barely three yards out. Incredible!
The atmosphere has just dropped in the last five minutes or so. It remains to be seen whether the home supporters really believe that their side can turn this one around. Just a reminder that Real Madrid still need to find at least three more goals and that is a big ask against this Atletico team.
SUB! Real Madrid make their second change as Jese replaces James.
SUB! Atletico make their second change as Gabi replaces Griezmann.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes, with Atletico slowing the game down whenever they can. Real Madrid are surely heading out of the competition this evening.
Benzema has another half-chance after meeting a loose ball inside the box, but Godin is on hand to make the block. Jese finds space down the left moments later, but the attacker is flagged offside.
It is all very frustrating for the home side at the moment as Atletico continue to slow the pace in the final third. Raul Jimenez is preparing to enter the field for the Spanish champions.
Half-chance for the home side as Bale meets a cross from Marcelo, but his header is over.
SUB! Atletico make their final change as Jimenez replaces Garcia.
BOOKING! Marcelo (Real Madrid) is booked for a late challenge on Gabi.
BOOKING! Koke (Atletico) is booked following an altercation with Marcelo.
BOOKING! Carvajal (Real Madrid) chops Siqueira to the ground.
Not too much to report at the moment aside from a number of late challenges.
Jimenez threatens to run away from the Real Madrid back four, but Varane shows his stunning pace to clear the danger. The crowd is starting to empty as we approach the final minute here.
BOOKING! Isco (Real Madrid) is booked for a late challenge on Gabi.
We are into the second of four additional minutes at the Bernabeu.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side to score their third as Ronaldo finds Isco inside the box, but his effort is straight into the arms of Oblak. Atletico are almost there.
Ronaldo fires a free kick into the stands and that should be just about that.
FULL-TIME: Real Madrid 2-2 Atletico (Atletico win 4-2 on aggregate)
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close, with Atletico advancing into the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey 4-2 on aggregate. What a night of football in the Spanish capital! Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action once again. Good evening!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
