Madrid progress after Spanish Cup semi-final thriller

Real Madrid have needed extra time to get past Real Sociedad and reach their second Copa del Rey final in three seasons.

Antonio Ruediger scored the decisive goal at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium to allow the Spanish powerhouse to advance 5-4 on aggregate.

"It was a hard game. A lot of comebacks. In the end, I scored. I'm very happy it was Real Madrid [who won]," said their German defender.

"The goal? An amazing assist by Arda [Guler]. Because of it, we're in the final."

Madrid had won the first leg 1-0 in February, but Sociedad took the second leg 4-3 in the capital after Mikel Oyarzabal scored in added time in regulation, when both teams netted twice after the 80th minute.

Carlo Ancelotti's side will play the April 26 final in Seville against either Barcelona or Atletico Madrid, who play their second leg on Wednesday at Atletico's Metropolitano stadium. The teams drew 4-4 in Barcelona in the first match.

Ruediger's extra-time goal came with a header off a corner kick taken by Arda Gueler in the 115th minute.

Madrid beat Osasuna to win the 20th Copa title in 2023. Sociedad won their third in 2020 when they beat Basque Country rivals Athletic Bilbao, after eliminating Madrid in the quarter-finals that season with a 4-3 win at the Bernabeu.

The visitors had opened the scoring on Tuesday night with Ander Barrenetxea in the 16th before Endrick equalised with a nice flick over Sociedad goalkeeper Alex Remiro in the 30th.

Sociedad moved ahead with an own-goal by David Alaba in the 72nd and Oyarzabal added to the lead in the 80th. The hosts rallied with Jude Bellingham in the 82nd and Aurelien Tchouameni in the 86th.

Madrid were minutes away from advancing when Oyarzabal scored with a header three minutes into added time to extend the match.

"I love this madness. I want to win more easily, of course, but when we experience this, with all the fans celebrating like this, and the substitutes – I love it," Brazilian Endrick said.

"I love being a Real Madrid player, I just love being here."