THREE ex-Chelsea stars combined for the “most impressive own goal ever” as Real Madrid beat Atletico 5-3 in a Spanish Super Cup semi-final thriller in Saudi Arabia.
Real keeper Kepa Aarrizabalaga flapped the ball in off the back of team-mate Antonio Rudiger – under pressure from the third former Blues’ player, Atletico striker Alvaro Morata.
AFPReal Madrid keeper Kepa and Antonio Rudiger watch as the centre-back nets an own goal under pressure from fellow ex-Chelsea ace Alvaro Morata[/caption]
Legs were flying everywhere as the ball goes in off Rudiger via Kepa’s fumble
There was nothing Real could do once the ball ricocheted off Rudiger
It was the most undignified moment of an unbelievable game in Riyad.
The tie then went to extra time at 3-3 – before a late own goal from Atletico’s Stefan Savic and a last-gasp strike from Brahim Diaz nicked it for Real.
Yet it had all begun so much better – not to say calmer – for Rudiger.
Mario Hermoso headed Atletico in front early on – but the German centre-back nodded the home side level midway through the first half.
Ferland Mendy cleverly edged Real in front.
But Antoine Griezmann‘s pinpoint finish and Rudiger’s pinpoint unlucky moment at the wrong end meant Atletico led 3-2 with just 12 minutes of normal remaining.
However, Dani Carvajal hammered Real’s late equaliser and deep into the extra half-hour a freak deflection off Savic spiralled in for their winner.
But many fans focused on Rudiger’s misfortune.
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Kepa looked uncertain and ended up just flapping the ball downwards
Kepa came out to an inswinging cross from Rodrigo Riquelme but just pawed the ball into Rudiger, who had little chance of avoiding his own-goal ricochet.
Most viewers blamed the man behind the defender – who is the Costa Rica No1 and on loan for the season from Stamford Bridge.
One observer posted: “That’s the most impressive own goal I’ve ever seen. Fair play Kepa.”
AFPReal Madrid’s Spanish goalkeeper #25 Kepa Arrizabalaga, Real Madrid’s German defender #22 Antonio Rudiger and Atletico Madrid’s Spanish forward #19 Alvaro Morata watch the ball during the Spanish Super Cup semi-final football match between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid at the Al-Awwal Park Stadium in Riyadh, on January 10, 2024. (Photo by Giuseppe CACACE / […][/caption]
Another baffled fan wrote: “What did this mean LOL.”
“Bizarre,” was another online verdict, and the harshest of all: “Kepa being a goalkeeper just shows that I can also be a player.”
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