Coach Diego Simeone’s team lost their semifinals in the Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh 1-2 (0-0) against defending champions Athletic Bilbao on Thursday. Bilbao meets record champions Real Madrid in Sunday’s final, which will be played at the same venue.
Curious own goal by Simon
Yeray Alvarez (77′) and Nico Williams (81′), who came on eleven minutes earlier, turned the game around with a late double strike. Previously, Bilbao keeper Unai Simon Atletico had involuntarily given the lead (62nd): A ball headed by Joao Felix first bounced off the post and then rolled over the line from the back of the Spanish national goalkeeper who was lying on the ground. In added time, Atletico’s Jose Maria Gimenez saw a red card for a gross foul.
Real Madrid defeats Barcelona
On Tuesday, record champions Real Madrid were the first team to reach the final after a Clasico victory. The La Liga leaders defeated arch-rivals FC Barcelona 3-2 after extra time in a never-ending duel.
