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24

2020 Real Madrid Out Of Copa Del Rey

12th,

February After Shock Loss To Sociedad

eal Sociedad pro- Sociedad started to ask ques-
|
duced a shock 4-3 win tions of the home defense as
EXAMINER Real Madrid to reach the was blocked. 22nd minute.
Adnan Januzaj’s angled shot
Rat
leaders
LaLiga
The visitors took the lead
semi-finals of the Copa del
in
Rey.
the
IRISH Odegaard – who is on a two- Following a break down the
Martin
Midfielder
right, Isak’s low 20-yard drive
year loan at Sociedad – broke was palmed out by Alphonse
the deadlock against his par- Areola. Odegaard was first to
ent club after 22 minutes. the rebound to drill his shot
Alexander Isak then scored through the legs of Areola –
twice in the space of two min- and showed respect for his
utes early in the second half parent club by not celebrat-
to leave the Santiago ing along with his team-
Bernabeu faithful stunned. mates.
Marcelo pulled a goal back Real Madrid were on the
before Mikel Merino restored back of a 21-game unbeaten
the visitors’ advantage. run in all competitions and
Vinicius saw a header ruled are three points ahead of after being played through regroup, they fell further the game, as Karim Benzema
out by VAR, but Marcelo did Barcelona at the top of on goal. behind when Isak scored a headed over from Nacho’s
make it 4-2. LaLiga. Luka Modric replaced third from a deflected ball cross.
Nacho set up a dramatic The hosts upped the Rodriguez for the second into the penalty area. Brazilian Vinicius thought
final few minutes of added tempo as James Rodriguez half, but the hosts were Real Madrid responded he had pulled another goal
time, but although defender tested Sociedad keeper Alex almost further behind when a just before the hour when back with 10 minutes left,
Ander Gorosabel was sent off Remiro with a 20-yard effort defense-splitting pass from Brahim Diaz picked out but his header was ruled out
for a second caution, before Vinicius’ cut-back was Odegaard found Isak for the Marcelo, who crashed his for offside following a
Sociedad closed out a famous blocked and Federico striker to slot home – only shot in at the near post. lengthy VAR review.
victory. Valverde’s rising drive was for the goal to be ruled out Vinicius curled an effort It was 4-2 when Rodrygo
Los Blancos coach saved. by VAR for a close offside just wide before Sociedad converted from close range –
Zinedine Zidane had opted Captain Sergio Ramos call. added a fourth goal in the with VAR this time ruling in
for some seven changes from then saw his header come Sociedad did double their 69th minute when Mikel favor of the home side.
the side which beat rivals back off the crossbar, but the lead in the 54th minute when Merino swept in a cross from Benzema’s floated cross
Atlético Madrid, but there offside flag was swiftly up Isak crashed a volley past Isak. was put in by Nacho before
was still no place in the squad anyway. Areola from a floated cross Real Madrid – who had Gorosabel was sent off for a
for Wales forward Gareth Sociedad threatened again by substitute Ander won the competition 19 second quick caution, but
Bale. just before half-time as Isak Barrenetxea. times, but not since since Ramos saw his flicked header
Following a cagey start, blasted his shot off target Before the hosts could 2014 – were again left chasing saved as Sociedad held on. C

Williams’ Injury Time Winner Eliminates Barca From Copa Del Rey

naki Williams’ stoppage- Antoine Griezmann. 25 yards out, but Messi’s effort the penalty spot, where blocked by the keeper’s legs.
time header gave Athletic It did not take long for hit the wall. Griezmann’s low shot was As the clocked ticked down,
IBilbao a 1-0 win over Lionel Messi – whose row It was a low tempo opening saved by Unai Simon. Williams put a volley wide at
Barcelona in the quarter- with director Eric Abidal had following the restart, before After weathering so much the back post.
finals of the Copa del Rey. overshadowed the build-up to Messi sent Frenkie De Jong pressure, Bilbao almost But he made no mistake
Barcelona had reached the the match – to carve open the clear into the penalty area, snatched the lead when when substitute Ibai Gomez
final of the competition in home defense as he set Ansu where the Dutchman went to Williams’ early shot flew over. floated a cross over as
each of the last six years, win- Fati clear, but the 17-year-old ground – and was shown a Simon again came to the Williams guided a header
ning four of them, but were forward sliced his shot wide. yellow card for simulation. rescue for the home side when into the corner and sparked
dumped out this year after Athletic, whose last of 23 Barcelona boss Quique Messi was put through by sub- wild celebrations from the
some late drama at San Copa del Rey triumphs came Setien sent on Griezmann to stitute Arthur, but his shot was hosts. C
Mames. in 1984, thought they had replace Fati for the final 30
With the five minutes of opened the scoring after 10 minutes – and the French for-
added time played, and the tie minutes when Williams ward was soon in the action as
appearing set for extra-time knocked the ball in from a cor- he sent a shot over the cross-
and possibly a penalty shoot- ner, but the offside flag was bar.
out, Williams glanced the ball raised. De Jong went down again
past Barcelona goalkeeper There was a let off for Ter the penalty area, this time
Marc-Andre Ter Stegen to Stegen when his stray pass fell under close guard from Bilbao
snatch a dramatic victory. to Raul Garcia, but the mid- midfielder Ander Capa, but
Barcelona, winners of the fielder shot wide from the the referee was not interested
competition a record 30 times, edge of the penalty area. and waved play on.
had just one change from As half-time approached, In the 70th minute,
their last LaLiga match as Barcelona were awarded a Roberto got away down the
Sergi Roberto came in for free-kick in a central position right and cut the ball back to