Alaba Scores Two Own Goals in First Copa del Rey Start for Real Madrid

In a dramatic Copa del Rey semifinal at Santiago Bernabéu, Real Madrid and Real Sociedad delivered a thrilling 4-4 draw, with Los Blancos advancing 5-4 on aggregate. The match was marked by unexpected twists, including two own goals by Real Madrid’s David Alaba.

Real Sociedad struck first in the 15th minute when Ander Barrenetxea capitalized on a pass from Pablo Marín to put the visitors ahead. Real Madrid responded in the 30th minute, with Brazilian teenager Endrick netting his fifth goal in as many Copa del Rey matches, assisted by Vinícius Júnior.

The second half saw an unfortunate series of events for David Alaba. In the 72nd minute, he inadvertently deflected a cross into his own net, giving Real Sociedad a 2-1 lead. Eight minutes later, Alaba was again unlucky, as another deflection off him resulted in a second own goal, extending Sociedad’s advantage to 3-1.

Despite these setbacks, Real Madrid showcased resilience. Jude Bellingham narrowed the gap in the 82nd minute with a goal set up by Vinícius Júnior. Just four minutes later, Aurélien Tchouaméni scored, leveling the match at 3-3 and marking Real Madrid’s 10,000th goal in history.

The drama continued into stoppage time when Mikel Oyarzabal scored for Real Sociedad in the 93rd minute, bringing the score to 4-3 in favor of the visitors. However, Real Madrid’s Antonio Rüdiger emerged as the hero in extra time, heading in a corner from Arda Güler in the 115th minute to secure a 4-4 draw and a 5-4 aggregate victory for Los Blancos.

This match marked Alaba’s first start in the Copa del Rey for Real Madrid this season, and it was an outing he will likely remember for the wrong reasons. Nevertheless, the team’s collective effort ensured their progression to the final.

Real Madrid will face the winner of the semifinal between Barcelona and Atlético Madrid in the Copa del Rey final, scheduled for April 26 at Estadio La Cartuja in Sevilla.

The match was a testament to Real Madrid’s depth and determination. Despite the own goals and trailing at multiple points, the team displayed character and resilience. Young talents like Endrick and seasoned players like Bellingham and Rüdiger stepped up when it mattered most.

Real Sociedad, on the other hand, can take pride in their performance. Pushing a team of Real Madrid’s caliber to the brink in a high-stakes match speaks volumes about their quality and potential. Players like Barrenetxea and Oyarzabal showcased their talent on a big stage, and the team will look to build on this experience in future competitions.

For Real Madrid, the focus now shifts to preparing for the final. With the possibility of facing arch-rivals Barcelona or a formidable Atlético Madrid side, the final promises to be another thrilling encounter. The team’s ability to navigate challenges, as demonstrated in this semifinal, will be crucial in their quest for Copa del Rey glory.

As the football world turns its attention to the upcoming final, fans will be eager to see if Real Madrid can capitalize on this hard-fought victory and secure another trophy for their illustrious cabinet. The stage is set for a captivating conclusion to this season’s Copa del Rey.