The cup derby between Real and Atlético Madrid is overshadowed by a tasteless and hateful action. It's also heated on the pitch, the royals get the upper hand after a show of strength. Decisive man: world footballer Karim Benzema.
Real Madrid is in the semi-finals of the Spanish Football Cup after an official effort. With a goal in the first half of extra time, world footballer Karim Benzema led the royal team to a late 3-1 (1-1, 0-0) in the explosive city derby against Atlético Madrid. The Frenchman scored in the 104th minute at home and turned the quarter-finals around. Atlético took the lead early on through Alvaro Morata (19') before Rodrygo (79') saved Real in extra time. Stefan Savic saw the yellow-red card at Atlético shortly before the second goal was conceded (99th). Vinicius Junior (120.1) provided the final point.
Former international Toni Kroos, who started and was substituted in the 74th minute, still has a chance of winning his first Copa del Rey. The 33-year-old has never reached the final in this competition with Real. When his club last won the cup in 2014, he was still under contract with FC Bayern. The draw against whom it is now in the semifinals will be drawn on Friday. FC Barcelona, Osasuna and Athletic Bilbao are also in the semi-finals.
A tasteless action by alleged football fans had caused great outrage before the game. On a bridge in the Spanish capital the night before the derby, unknown persons hung a life-size doll that was supposed to represent the Brazilian striker Vinicius Jr. A large poster was placed above it with the inscription: "Madrid hates Real".
The action met with fierce criticism from many quarters. Atlético Madrid called them "disgusting and unacceptable" in a communiqué and wrote: "These are incidents that shame society." The Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport of the Region of Madrid, Marta Rivera, said: "Whoever did this does not represent the values of a club, nor does he have any interest in sport, football or anything else." The specialist newspaper "Marca" denounced the "unacceptable threat".
Real spoke of a "regrettable and despicable act of racism, xenophobia and hatred against our player Vinicius" and thanked "for the support and expressions of sympathy" that they had received. The players' union AFE, human rights organizations and other bodies announced legal action. Pro league boss Javier Tebas wrote on Twitter: "A message to those who take refuge at night to commit hate crimes: we will find you, we will get your convictions put in jail where you belong. ENOUGH NOW! !!"
