Real Madrid edge Atletico 5-3 to reach Super Cup final
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia -- Real Madrid defeated Atletico Madrid 5-3 after extra-time in a pulsating battle in Saudi Arabia to reach the Spanish Super Cup final.
Mario Hermoso and Antonio Rudiger exchanged early headed goals before Ferland Mendy sent Madrid ahead at the Al-Awwal Park stadium in Riyadh.
Antoine Griezmann levelled with a milestone goal for Atletico to become their all-time leading scorer and Kepa Arrizabalaga's own goal sent the Rojilbancos ahead, but Dani Carvajal smashed Madrid level and forced extra-time.
With the game heading towards penalties, Stefan Savic's own goal under pressure from Joselu nudged Madrid ahead and substitute Brahim Diaz wrapped up the win on the counter-attack with Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak stranded out of position.
In Sunday's final Madrid will face either Barcelona or Osasuna, who meet Thursday in the other semi-final.
"Atletico played very well and so did we, it was a spectacular game," Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti told Movistar.
"We won because we had more energy in the final stages ... (the substitutes) all delivered."
Diego Simeone's Atletico are the only team to beat Madrid this season, in September, and they started strongly with Samuel Lino testing Arrizabalaga shortly before they took the lead.
Hermoso headed in the opener after six minutes from Griezmann's corner as Rodrygo failed to challenge him in the air.
Rudiger levelled for Madrid in similar fashion as he escaped Savic and nodded Luka Modric's corner home.
Madrid, unbeaten in 20 matches, were in the ascendency and full-back Mendy capitalised with a deft flicked finish from Carvajal's low cross.
- Milestone man -
Griezmann headed into Arrizabalaga's hands before pulling Atletico level in a gripping first half, turning away from Modric before driving home from the edge of the box.
The goal took him ahead of the late Luis Aragones as Atletico's all-time top scorer on 174 goals.
Rodrygo almost put Madrid ahead again before the break after leading Atletico's defence on a merry dance but Oblak parried his effort and grabbed the loose ball before it could spin over the line.
Saudi spectators, despite mainly supporting Real Madrid, jeered Los Blancos midfielder
