Vinicius Jr had the last laugh of the day as Real Madrid beat city rivals Atletico Madrid after extra time to advance to the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey. Hours before the game, a banner was hung from a bridge in the city of Madrid reading: “Madrid hates Real.” Also attached to that was a doll hanging with the name Vinicius written at the back.
Atletico took the lead with striker Alvaro Morata scoring from close range from fullback Nahuel Molina’s low cross.
Real Madrid then equalised when Rodrygo beat three players and scored a wonderful goal with just 11 minutes to go.
Atletico’s Stefan Savic was then sent off for two bookable offences, before Karim Benzema put Real ahead in the 104th minute with Vinicius Jr adding a third.
Barcelona and Osasuna beat Real Sociedad and Sevilla respectively in their quarter-finals on Wednesday and Athletic Bilbao won 3-1 at Valencia on Thursday to join them in the semi-finals.
The draw for the final four will be held on the 30th of January with the first legs in early February and the second legs in the beginning of March, before the final on the 6th of May.
Earlier on Thursday, La Liga said it “strongly condemns acts of hatred and intimidation against Vinicius Jr” after an effigy of the Real Madrid winger was hung from a bridge near the club’s training ground with Atletico calling the incident “repugnant”.
Brazilian Vinicius Jr said last month the Spanish league had to act on racists attending games after a minority of Atletico fans sang racist songs aimed at the player before Real’s 2-1 win in September.