Real Madrid earned the derby they chased in Saudi Arabia, clinching victory in extra time after a match that’s been described as relentless as city traffic. The contest stayed intense from the first whistle to the last, a clash of two giants that kept its edge through 120 minutes. Eight goals, shifting rhythms, and a narrative that extended beyond regular time into a dramatic overtime marked a history-making moment in the ongoing rivalry. Savic’s own goal and Brahim’s strike into an unmarked net punctuated a game that refused to succumb to weariness.
Ancelotti laid out a clear plan for the goalkeeping role, with Kepa starting in pivotal fixtures. This choice signaled a preference for the Basque keeper in key matches, balancing club duties with Courtois’s broader availability. The midfield looked adaptable, with Modric, Valverde, and Tchouameni offering different pathways, while Kroos and Camavinga faced scrutiny in their familiar roles. Mendy returned to the bench, bringing fresh dynamics to the flanks.
Defenses that attack with impact
Saúl’s surge under Simeone stood out, influencing Nahuel’s position and drawing boos from the stands. Real Madrid felt at home in the arena, where a dedicated tifo and a charged atmosphere suggested a home-field feel despite Atlético’s presence. The crowd’s energy swung between tense quiet and bursts of approval as the match hovered on a razor’s edge.
When the whistle blew, the game showcased football in its purest form. The first leg of the trilogy delivered a high-octane spectacle. Madrid pressed high and attacked from the back, while Atlético found themselves exposed by a front-foot defense and a visitors’ buildup that lacked rhythm. Set pieces resembled rehearsals, with no obvious marking in crucial moments, intensifying the drama of the evening.
Atlético’s opener came from a set piece—Hermoso beating Kepa after Griezmann’s corner—illustrating Simeone’s relentless cat-and-mouse approach. Real Madrid, without a fixed number nine, lined up in a fluid front line where Rodrygo and Vinicius swapped positions under a vigilant supporting cast, with Valverde’s pressing providing essential balance.
Real Madrid’s revival and Griezmann’s artistry
The white side of the stadium watched Real Madrid claw back into the contest through collective effort and precise finishing. Modric’s distribution and Rudiger’s header highlighted a surge mirroring the team’s late-season resolve. A sustained period of energy saw Carvajal’s low cross reopen Atlético’s defense, and Mendy’s strike from the edge of the boot extended Madrid’s pressure, producing a tangible equalizer.
Simeone’s side countered with structure and moments of genius. Griezmann and De Paul linked to destabilize Madrid’s shape, with the Argentine stepping forward to craft a breakthrough finished by the French forward in typical style. An assist, a goal, and a clear momentum shift showcased Atlético’s resolve, even as Madrid’s rhythm regained tempo.
Rodrygo’s burst and a well-placed strike from the wing left Madrid charging forward, while a timely bit of brilliance from Modric sliced through the defense. The match looked to tilt under the weight of experience, with both teams eager to claim dominance and prevent a decisive turn.
Two-one extended the game into an open spell for the visitors; the crowd’s mood shifted as Madrid pressed for a late reversal, echoing league history where destiny can hinge on a single moment.
2-3 in favor of Atlético de Madrid kept the narrative intensely alive on social media and in living rooms alike. The duel became more than a match; it stood as a statement for the season’s upcoming chapters. The drama continued to unfold as fans recounted highlights online, echoing the electric tempo of the capital’s Super Cup storyline.
Kepa’s vulnerability and Real Madrid’s response in extra time
As the second half began, the air cooled in Riyadh as teams braced for the long haul. Real Madrid and Atlético started extra time with caution, yet the pace never truly faded. Oblak’s sharp interventions and a tightened defense opened a window for Madrid’s late rallies, while Kepa’s hesitation against Morata exposed a moment of fragility common in high-stakes play.
Minutes drifted by, and tension rose. The field narrowed as fatigue set in, and the attackers found a way through. Morata and Koke pressed Madrid’s margins, while Rodrygo and Vinicius left the field drained. The pivotal moment arrived through a sequence of errors and breakthroughs tilting the balance toward Madrid.
Joselu and Brahim seal the victory in extra time
Atlético still had chances, but Real Madrid’s resilience became decisive. Carvajal produced a superb low finish that sparked the late sequence driving Madrid ahead, followed by a spectacular strike from Mendy signaling a complete swing in momentum. The team controlled the tempo as Joselu and Brahim closed in on the equity that would crown the night.
Brahim finished clinically into an empty net, sealing a 5-3 scoreline in extra time. The strike embodied Madrid’s persistence and marked the fixture as a memorable chapter in the long-running rivalry, a reminder of the unpredictable drama in elite derbies.
Both sets of players carried the match to its dramatic finish, exchanging moments of brilliance and intensity as the stadium roared. The encounter offered a rare blend of tactical chess and raw, unfiltered effort, proving that football evenings can defy expectations and keep fans recounting details long after the final whistle. The memory of the game will linger as a reminder that in football, time only tilts in favor of the team that scores last and secures the victory.