Madrid, Spain — In a dramatic Copa del Rey semifinal, David Alaba‘s troubles continued as Real Madrid faced Real Sociedad at the Santiago Bernabéu on April 1, 2025. Alaba, who started the match for the first time in a while, scored two own goals during the match, marking a disappointing return for the iconic Austrian player.
Alaba’s misfortunes were overshadowed somewhat by Madrid’s overall offensive display, which ultimately saved the match. Despite his blunders, Los Blancos managed to equalize at 3-3, showing resilience that kept them in the Copa del Rey hunt.
“Today was tough for me. Scoring two own goals is never easy,” Alaba said after the match. “But the most important thing is that we found a way to fight back and equalize.”
Real Sociedad opened the scoring due to Alaba’s unfortunate touch. In the first instance, a pass slid through his legs, resulting in an own goal that put the visitors ahead. Later in the first half, another unfortunate rebound off Alaba found its way into the Madrid net, leaving them trailing.
Known for their solid performances, Madrid, under Carlo Ancelotti, struggled to maintain concentration, allowing Sociedad to take advantage of mistake after mistake. Yet just when all hope seemed lost, Madrid struck back with ferocity.
“We need to work on our focus,” Tchouameni added. “We cannot allow teams to capitalize on our mistakes like that.”
Both sides exchanged goals, leading to a thrilling climax. Real Sociedad’s Mikel Oyarzabal capitalized on the chaos in the box to score another goal, further denting Madrid’s confidence. By the end of regular time, the score hung at 3-3, sending the match into extra time.
In extra time, Real Madrid ramped up the pressure, and the atmosphere at the Bernabéu grew electrifying. Fans became restless as opportunities blossomed with every passing minute. With both teams eager for the win, Madrid’s intensity rose as substitutions were made in quick succession.
Antonio Rüdiger and Jude Bellingham exchanged vital passes creating chances for forwards Kylian Mbappé and Vinicius Jr. However, Sociedad’s defense proved resilient, and goalkeeper Alex Remiro made crucial saves that kept them in the match.
“It’s not over until it’s over. We’re going to keep fighting,” Bellingham stated post-game when asked about Madrid’s chances heading into the final moments of extra time.
As tension peaked and the final whistle approached, Madrid found themselves scrambling for the winning goal, needing a decisive strike to ensure qualification for the final. It’s an uphill battle for Alaba, who previously held a prominent position, as he grapples with regaining form following his injury woes.
Ultimately, Madrid’s eagerness to win proved crucial, resulting in a dramatic 4-4 aggregate score that led to a penalty shootout showdown. The Copa del Rey journey continues for Madrid, with fans hopeful that Alaba can find redemption in the upcoming matches ahead.
