The Germany centre-back rose highest in extra-time to secure victory in what turned into an instant classic
An Antonio Rudiger header in extra-time concluded a chaotic contest between Real Madrid and Real Sociedad, his late goal earning Los Blancos a 5-4 aggregate win and spot in the Copa del Rey final. Madrid made things complicated as they fell behind in the tie heading into the final 10 minutes and threw away the lead in stoppage-time, but eventually, inevitably got the job done against a La Real side that never gave in – even in defeat.
Leading 1-0 from the first leg in San Sebastian, Madrid started slowly – and were made to pay. Ander Barrenetxea levelled the tie on aggregate after 16 minutes, running through on goal down the left and threading his shot through the legs of reserve goalkeeper Andriy Lunin. The home side's equaliser was wonderfully crafted, however, as Vinicius Jr fed Endrick, who lifted the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper.
The visitors had an excellent chance to level things up again when Martin Zubimendi directed a volley on target, but Lunin redeemed his earlier woes with a full-stretch save – and Mikel Oyarzabal skied the ensuing rebound. They were gifted the goal to level the tie soon after, though, when David Alaba inadvertently glanced Pablo Marin's cross into his own net. Alaba had the misfortune of being involved in the next one, too, as he deflected Oyarzabal's shot into the bottom corner.
From there, Madrid woke up. Jude Bellingham made it 3-3 on aggregate with an audacious side-footed volley after a fine piece of set up play from Vinicius before Aurelien Tchouameni seemed certain to have scored the winner as he guided a header past a sprawling Alex Remiro with four minutes left on the clock. But La Real offered another twist, as Oyazarbal found the net with a close-range header in injury time.
Neither side could carve out an opening for most of extra time until Rudiger settled things, rising above three defenders to nod into the far corner and kill off the most dramatic of cup ties.
GOAL rates Real Madrid's players from Santiago Bernabeu…
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Andriy Lunin (5/10):
Made to look a bit silly on Barrenetxea's goal and badly misjudged the cross for La Real's fourth, but couldn't really do anything about the other two. Had a couple of air-headed moments otherwise. Not his best day.
Lucas Vazquez (5/10):
Decided, very generously, to give Barrenetxea a free run in on goal for the opener, which was pretty much his defining moment on the night.
Raul Asencio (4/10):
A bit too overzealous in his tackling and positioning at times.
David Alaba (4/10):
A nightmare for the Austrian. One own goal, and another deflection that gave La Real their third.
Eduardo Camavinga (5/10):
Skinned in the run up to La Real's second goal and committed the foul that led to Oyarzabal's stoppage-time strike . Dealt with his man well, otherwise.
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Aurelien Tchouameni (5/10):
Pretty miserable, scored what looked like a winning header, and was then pretty miserable again.
Federico Valverde (5/10):
One of his less memorable games of the season. Didn't offer much going forward in central midfield, and looked a bit unsteady on the right.
Jude Bellingham (8/10):
Full of industry and intent. Scored a wonderful goal, won his tackles, offered defensive cover and played some key passes. Ran his way through cramp for most of extra-time, too.
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Rodrygo (5/10):
Barely involved in the play, but swung in a lovely ball for Tchouameni's goal, though was rather rusty thereafter.
Endrick (7/10):
Tried a bicycle kick early on and took his goal wonderfully. Less involved thereafter, but this was arguably his best hour as a Madrid player.
Vinicius Jr (8/10):
A constant nuisance on the wing. Took on defenders relentlessly and picked up two assists.
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Kylian Mbappe (5/10):
A few lively moments but not much in the way of quality.
Luka Modric (6/10):
Offered a bit of composure to a game that was running away from the hosts.
Antonio Rudiger (8/10):
Rose to bury the winner. Hero on the day.
Fran Garcia (5/10):
Extra legs for extra-time.
Brahim Diaz (N/A):
Barely involved in a few brief moments.
Arda Guler (7/10):
Curled in the corner to win it.
Carlo Ancelotti (6/10):
What a journey. His team were truly awful at times, then world-class at others. Props are due for getting to a cup final, but this was far trickier than it needed to be.