Atlético Madrid Held to a Draw in Copa del Rey Thriller
Atlético Madrid were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by a resilient Real Sociedad in the first leg of their Copa del Rey Round of 16 tie at the Reale Arena on Wednesday. The result leaves the tie delicately poised heading into the second leg at the Wanda Metropolitano next week.
A tense first half saw few clear-cut chances, with both sides seemingly content to sit back and assess each other. However, the game sprung to life after the interval with Atlético taking the lead in the 52nd minute through a stunning volley from Antoine Griezmann. The Frenchman, who has been in fine form this season, met a cross from Yannick Carrasco with a perfectly-timed strike that left Alex Remiro with no chance.
Real Sociedad, however, were undeterred and continued to press for an equaliser. Their persistence paid off in the 73rd minute when Brais Méndez cleverly chipped the ball over Jan Oblak after a clever turn and run into the box.
The final stages of the match were frantic, with both sides having chances to snatch a late winner. However, neither team was able to find the back of the net, leaving the tie wide open for the second leg.
Diego Simeone's side will be disappointed not to have emerged from San Sebastián with a win. They will be looking to make the most of home advantage in the second leg and secure their place in the quarter-finals.
Key Takeaways:
- Atlético Madrid's defensive solidity was once again on display, but their lack of a cutting edge in the final third proved costly.
- Antoine Griezmann continued his impressive scoring run, showcasing his technical prowess with his sublime volley.
- Real Sociedad proved their resilience and ability to fight back, demonstrating their dangerous attacking threat.
- The second leg promises to be a thrilling affair, with both teams eager to advance to the quarter-finals.
The tie will be decided at the Wanda Metropolitano next Wednesday, with Atlético looking to secure a place in the last eight of the Copa del Rey. Expect a high-intensity encounter with both sides desperate to emerge victorious.