The right-back was involved in three of his team's five goals as they advanced to the Supercopa de Espana final
Dani Carvajal scored one, assisted one, and provided a teasing ball for the third, settling a frantic Madrid derby in the Supercopa de Espana semi-final. Both teams trailed at various points, but Los Blancos had enough attacking impetus in extra-time to seal a 5-3 win.
Atleti opened the scoring, with a familiar face as a provider. Antoine Griezmann whipped a dangerous corner into the box, which a wide open Mario Hermoso headed into the net. Antonio Rudiger equalised 10 minutes later in remarkably similar circumstances, meeting a Luka Modric corner to tie the game at 1-1.
Los Blancos took the lead soon after, a deft flick from Ferland Mendy carrying Carvajal's cross in. Atleti once again had an answer, Griezmann embarking on a winding run before tucking the ball passed a sprawling Kepa Arrizabalaga.
The second half was a scrappier affair, the Rojiblancos defending deep and inviting Madrid pressure. And it worked. They nicked an admittedly ugly goal, Morata forcing a calamitous mistake out of Kepa, who punched a lofted cross into his own player and into the net.
But Carlo Ancelotti's men had an answer once again. Carvajal provided it by battering a rebound home after a frantic passage in the Atletico box. And neither side could find a decisive fourth in regular time.
The right-back was at the centre of a freakish winner, his teasing ball evading Joselu before loping in off the corner of a sprawling Stefan Savic to end a chaotic tie in an appropriately mad fashion. A late Brahim Diaz goal — a finish into an open net after Jan Oblak was sent up for a corner — completed the craziness and sent Madrid into the Supercopa final.
GOAL rates Real Madrid's players from Al-Awwal Stadium…
Getty ImagesGoalkeeper & Defence
Kepa Arrizabalaga (4/10):
Could do little about either of the Atleti goals in the first-half. Had a howler in the second, punching the ball off his own player to hand Atletico the lead.
Dani Carvajal (9/10):
His fine cross set up Mendy's goal. Scored Madrid's third to equalise. His ball led to the decisive fourth. Did his defensive work well, too. Looks a player reborn.
Antonio Rudiger (6/10):
Equalised with a fine header — his second goal in as many games. Unfortunate to hand Atleti their third — it was Kepa's fault.
Nacho (6/10):
Kept it tidy at the back, and didn't really do much wrong.
Ferland Mendy (7/10):
Got on the scoresheet for the first time since the 2021-22 season. A solid shift as he works his way back to full fitness.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesMidfield
Aurelien Tchouameni (7/10):
A dominant presence at the base of midfield. His only real error was being turned inside out for Griezmann's goal.
Federico Valverde (7/10):
Plenty of legs in central areas — especially in extra time — and was up for the challenge of keeping Atletico's midfield quiet. Slightly wasteful in the final third, but he wasn't the only one.
Luka Modric (6/10):
Assisted Rudiger's goal, and pinged it around. Exploited defensively, though. Looked tired when removed.
Jude Bellingham (7/10):
Not at his best for the first-half. A few loose touches and misplaced passes. Much improved late on, though.
GettyAttack
Rodrygo (6/10):
Charged with marking Hermoso on a corner — a task he failed remarkably. Active going forward, but spent a lot of his time diving, and didn't offer much in the way of a concrete attacking threat.
Vincius Jr (6/10):
Excellent and dangerous in open space, but not as impactful in key areas. His final ball was lacking.
GettySubs & Manager
Toni Kroos (6/10):
Brought on for a bit more midfield control. Succeeded in that, but left Madrid open on the break once or twice.
Eduardo Camavinga (7/10):
A solid showing at left-back. Carried the ball well, too.
Brahim Diaz (7/10):
Full of energy and quality off the bench. Should he have started?
Dani Ceballos (N/A):
Barely involved in extra time.
Joselu (N/A):
Was there when the decisive goal went in — making an impactful run to seal the contest.
Arda Guler (N/A):
Hardly involved. No time to make an impact
Carlo Ancelotti (7/10):
Went with a mostly full strength line up, even if Los Blancos lost a bit of control without Kroos. This was a far more chaotic contest than he would have liked. Still, he can't complain about a Madrid derby win.