Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad Copa del Rey 2025: Happy and Excited Madrid Fans

Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad Copa del Rey, In an electrifying Copa del Rey semi-final second leg at the Santiago Bernabéu, Real Madrid clinched a 5-4 aggregate victory over Real Sociedad to secure their place in the 2025 final. The match ended 4-4 on the night, but Antonio Rudiger’s towering header in extra time proved decisive, keeping Real Madrid’s treble dreams alive. This instant classic showcased both brilliance and chaos, with Rudiger emerging as the hero once again.

Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad Copa del Rey 2025: Antonio Rudiger Shines as Blancos Reach Final

Real Madrid entered the second leg with a 1-0 lead from the first leg in San Sebastian. However, they started sluggishly, and Ander Barrenetxea capitalized in the 16th minute, threading a shot through Andriy Lunin’s legs to level the aggregate score. The hosts responded with flair—Vinicius Jr’s precise pass found Endrick, who lifted the ball over goalkeeper Alex Remiro to restore Madrid’s advantage.

Real Sociedad fought back relentlessly. Martin Zubimendi’s volley was denied by a sprawling Lunin save, but the visitors soon equalized when David Alaba inadvertently headed Pablo Marin’s cross into his own net. Moments later, Alaba deflected Mikel Oyarzabal’s shot past Lunin, putting Sociedad ahead 3-2 on the night. With the tie slipping away, Jude Bellingham ignited the comeback with a stunning side-footed volley, making it 3-3 on aggregate.

As the clock ticked down, Aurelien Tchouameni’s header seemed to seal the win, but Oyarzabal struck again in stoppage time, forcing extra time. After a tense stalemate, Rudiger rose above three defenders to head home Arda Guler’s corner, clinching a 5-4 aggregate triumph and sending the Bernabéu into ecstasy.

Real Madrid Player Ratings vs Real Sociedad Copa del Rey 2025

Here’s how Real Madrid’s players performed in this unforgettable match:

Goalkeeper & Defense

• Andriy Lunin (5/10): The backup goalkeeper struggled. Barrenetxea’s opener slipped through his legs, and he misjudged the cross for Sociedad’s fourth. A full-stretch save on Zubimendi’s volley offered some redemption, but it was a shaky night overall.
• Lucas Vazquez (5/10): Vazquez’s defending was suspect, particularly for the opener, where he gave Barrenetxea too much space. He offered little going forward.
• Raul Asencio (4/10): The young defender was overeager, often caught out of position, and struggled to contain Sociedad’s attackers.
• David Alaba (4/10): A disastrous outing. Alaba scored an own goal and deflected Oyarzabal’s shot for another, marking a rare off-day for the veteran.
• Eduardo Camavinga (5/10): Solid for stretches, but he was beaten for Sociedad’s second and conceded the foul leading to their stoppage-time equalizer.

Midfield

• Aurelien Tchouameni (5/10): Scored a crucial header but was inconsistent. His midfield presence faded after the goal, leaving gaps for Sociedad to exploit.
• Federico Valverde (5/10): A quiet game by his standards. Valverde lacked creativity and defensive solidity in central midfield.
• Jude Bellingham (8/10): The star of the show. Bellingham’s energy, tackles, and audacious volley kept Madrid alive. Despite cramping in extra time, he remained a driving force.

Attack

• Rodrygo (5/10): Largely invisible, though his pinpoint cross set up Tchouameni’s goal. He faded as the match progressed.
• Endrick (7/10): The teenager shone with a delicate finish and a bold bicycle kick attempt. This could be a breakout performance for the young Brazilian.
• Vinicius Jr (8/10): A relentless threat. Vinicius tormented defenders, notched two assists, and was pivotal in turning the tide.

Substitutes & Manager

• Kylian Mbappe (5/10): Lively after coming on but lacked the killer touch to influence the scoreline.
• Luka Modric (6/10): Added composure during a chaotic spell, helping Madrid regain control.
• Antonio Rudiger (8/10): The match-winner. Rudiger’s commanding presence and extra-time header earned him hero status.
• Fran Garcia (5/10): Provided fresh legs in extra time but made no significant impact.
• Brahim Diaz (N/A): Barely featured after a late cameo.
• Arda Guler (7/10): Delivered the perfect corner for Rudiger’s winner, hinting at his immense potential.
• Carlo Ancelotti (6/10): Ancelotti’s team veered between brilliance and disarray. Reaching the final is a testament to his squad’s resilience, but defensive issues need urgent attention.

Conclusion: Rudiger Keeps Real Madrid’s Treble Hopes Alive

Real Madrid’s 5-4 aggregate victory over Real Sociedad was a rollercoaster of emotions, defined by Antonio Rudiger’s extra-time heroics. Despite defensive lapses and a late scare, Los Blancos showcased their resilience and star power to reach the Copa del Rey final. With Bellingham and Vinicius Jr excelling, and Rudiger delivering when it mattered most, the Blancos remain in contention for a 2025 treble. Their next challenge? The final against either Atletico Madrid or Barcelona on April 26—a date that could define their season.

This Lewandowski goal against Real Madrid last year is one of his underrated goal in his career. What a rocket pic.twitter.com/92b9bktpZP

— DesmundOris (@Desmund_Oris) April 1, 2025

FAQs: Real Madrid Player Ratings vs Real Sociedad Copa del Rey 2025

1. Who scored the winning goal for Real Madrid?
   Antonio Rudiger headed in the decisive goal in extra time off Arda Guler’s corner.
2. What was the final aggregate score?
   Real Madrid won 5-4 on aggregate, with the second leg ending 4-4.
3. Who were the standout performers in the match?
   Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Jr both earned 8/10 for their exceptional contributions, alongside Rudiger.
4. Who will Real Madrid face in the Copa del Rey final?
   They’ll face the winner of the Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona semi-final.
5. How did Real Madrid’s defense perform?
   The defense faltered, with Alaba (4/10) and Asencio (4/10) struggling, though Rudiger’s heroics salvaged the night.