MADRID: Real Madrid edged into the Copa del Rey final with a thrilling 4-4 draw against Real Sociedad after extra time on Tuesday, securing a 5-4 aggregate semi-final victory.

Antonio Rudiger decided the pulsating tie with a header in the 115th minute, with Real to face Barcelona or Atletico Madrid in the final.

Real Sociedad, trailing 1-0 from the first leg, took the lead through Ander Barrenetxea, but Endrick’s fine chip pulled the 20-time winners level.

A David Alaba own goal and Mikel Oyarzabal’s deflected effort helped Sociedad open up a lead on the Spanish champions but Real battled back with goals from Jude Bellingham and Aurelien Tchouameni.

Oyarzabal grabbed his second in stoppage time to force extra-time but his side could not hold off Real until penalties, with Rudiger’s header the final word.

In La Liga on Sunday, Robert Lewandowski bagged a brace as Barcelona eased to a 4-1 victory over Girona to move three points clear at the top of the league.

After second-placed Real pulled level on points with them on Saturday after beating Leganes, Hansi Flick’s side restored their advantage at the Olympic Stadium.

Barcelona, unbeaten this year in 20 matches, took the lead through a Ladislav Krejci own goal near the end of the first half. Arnaut Danjuma pulled Girona level but Lewandowski netted twice and Ferran Torres finished off the rout.

Barca found a way through before half-time. Yamal’s dangerous free-kick aimed at Eric Garcia was deflected into his own net by Krejci at the near post.

Girona had produced very little of note in the first half but were back level eight minutes into the second through Danjuma. Daley Blind played the Dutch striker through and he beat Wojciech Szczesny with a clinical low finish.

However Barcelona were swiftly back in front as La Liga’s top goalscorer Lewandowski notched his 24th of the campaign.

Lopez nodded the ball across the six-yard box and Lewandowski contorted his body to reach it and flick it between Gazzaniga’s legs.

The forward secured Barcelona’s victory with his 25th, slotting home after substitute Frenkie de Jong pushed forward into space and fed him.

There was time for Torres to add a fourth after Gerard Martin found him and the brilliant Yamal to bend a strike against the crossbar.

Published in Dawn, April 3rd, 2025