Griezmann Rescues Madrid in Five-Goal Copa Thriller
Key Takeaways
- Atlético Madrid survived a dramatic Copa del Rey scare, edging Atlético Baleares 2-3
- Antoine Griezmann's brace proved decisive as Madrid held on despite late penalty drama
- Juan Musso delivered a heroic performance with 7 saves to keep Madrid alive
- Baleares dominated statistically with 9 shots on target but fell agonizingly short
PALMA DE MALLORCA, SPAIN — Mouhamadou Keita's 90th-minute penalty set up a frantic finale, but Atlético Madrid clung on to secure a dramatic 2-3 victory over Atlético Baleares at Estadio Balear, surviving a Copa del Rey encounter that saw the lower-league hosts push their illustrious visitors to the absolute brink. Antoine Griezmann's double ultimately proved the difference, though the statistics told a vastly different story as the Segunda Federación side dominated possession and chances throughout a pulsating cup tie.
The goals flowed freely in a breathless first half. Griezmann opened the scoring in the 16th minute, converting a right-footed finish from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner after Conor Gallagher's incisive pass unlocked the Baleares defence. Just four minutes later, Giacomo Raspadori doubled Madrid's advantage with a towering header from the centre of the box to the top right corner, meeting Nahuel Molina's pinpoint cross with precision. But Baleares refused to buckle. Gerardo Bonet pulled one back in the 28th minute, prodding home from very close range following a corner to ignite the home crowd's belief. The hosts carried that momentum into the second half, creating chance after chance as Madrid's backline creaked under relentless pressure.
Griezmann appeared to have settled the contest in the 72nd minute, slotting a left-footed effort from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal after Javi Galán's assist. Yet Baleares continued to press forward with admirable courage. The drama intensified in the 79th minute when Juan Musso brought down Guillem Castell in the area, only for the Madrid goalkeeper to redeem himself by saving Jaume Tovar's penalty with a diving stop to his left. But the reprieve proved temporary—Nico González's foul on Keita in the 88th minute handed Baleares another spot-kick, and this time Keita made no mistake, drilling his right-footed penalty straight down the middle to set up a nerve-shredding finale.
Atlético Madrid enjoyed the majority of possession at 57.1%, yet it was Baleares who truly dominated the attacking metrics. The hosts were clinical, putting 9 of their 12 shots on target compared to Madrid's modest 4 from 10 attempts. Atlético Madrid's goalkeeper was called into action 7 times throughout the evening, producing several crucial interventions that kept his side ahead. The visitors committed 14 fouls to Baleares' 8, reflecting the physical battle required to contain the energetic hosts.
The turning point arrived not with a goal but with Musso's penalty save in the 79th minute. Had Tovar converted, Baleares would have drawn level with over 10 minutes remaining and momentum firmly on their side. Instead, Musso's heroics preserved Madrid's slender advantage, even if it couldn't prevent the late penalty drama. D'Avíd Hancko, Robin Le Normand, and Thiago Almada all worked tirelessly to protect that lead during a nervy final stretch that saw Jofre Cherta, Ulrich Taffertshofer, and substitute Adrian Catalá throw everything forward in search of an equalizer.
Looking ahead, Atlético Madrid travel to face Alhama on December 21, where Diego Simeone will hope for a more comfortable afternoon than this Copa del Rey escape provided.