Martin Odegaard stars as Real Sociedad dump Real Madrid out of Copa del Rey
Real Madrid were knocked out of the Copa del Rey as 20-year-old Swedish striker Alexander Isak inspired Real Sociedad to a thrilling 4-3 win at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Isak scored twice and set up another for substitute Mikel Merino to end Madrid’s 21-game unbeaten run and book the visitors a spot in the semi-finals.
Zinedine Zidane made seven changes to the side that had beaten Atletico in the Madrid derby at the weekend, with Sergio Ramos, Toni Kroos, Fede Valverde and Karim Benzema the only survivors.
Reserve goalkeeper Alphonse Areola was among those to come into the side, but was at fault when Real Madrid loanee Martin Odegaard opened the scoring on 22 minutes, letting the Norwegian’s tame effort squirm through his legs.
Vinicius Jr. looked Madrid’s most lively attacking outlet, while James Rodriguez and Valverde both tested Alex Remiro from range looking for an equaliser, before Ramos headed against the crossbar, though his effort would have been ruled out for offside in any case.
However, the visitors could easily have been two to the good before the interval, as Isak wasted two good chances on the counter-attack, blazing over on both occasions.
Zidane’s response at half-time was to send Luka Modric on in place of James, but before he had had chance to make an impact the hosts were very further behind as Isak slotted home from Odegaard’s terrific pass, only for VAR to rule it out for offside.
The away side did not have to wait long though, as Isak scored twice in four minutes to stun the Bernabeu, first finding the net with an acrobatic volley from substitute Ander Barrenetxea’s cross and then lashing a terrific finish high into the roof of Areola’s net from a tight angle.
Marcelo provided an immediate response, drilling in off the base of the near-post with question marks over Remiro’s goalkeeping, but the three goal cushion was restored when Isak turned provider, steering across goal for Merino to add his name to the scoresheet.
Still the drama was not done though, as Vinicius had a header ruled out by VAR for offside, only to set up substitute Rodrygo to make it 4-2 seconds later, and when Nacho headed into the corner in stoppage time it teed up a grandstand finale, but the underdogs held on to inflict Madrid’s first home defeat of the season, despite the late sending off of Andoni Gorosabel.