There is a phrase in Spain: second parts were never any good. Sequels, they say, invariably fail to live up to the original, but this time it did. Like The Godfather Part II, the second episode of the Madrid Trilogy, that run of three derbies in three weeks and three different competitions, was even better than the first, however implausible that had appeared. When these great rivals met six days ago, there were eight goals, 120 minutes of fun finally won 5-3 by Real; now, on a wet night back in their home city where they’re supposed to be, there were another 120 minutes, far wilder than those, six goals, and revenge. This time, Atlético Madrid struck back.
They were 1-0 and 2-1 up, through Samu Lino and Alvaro Morata. Twice Atlético led and twice they found Real Madrid, the adversary that just refuses to die, coming back at them, all those fears and that trauma returning. A Jan Oblak own goal and a Joselu diving header meant that yet again the derby went to extra time: that’s eight now, every single final or knockout game these teams have played in the Diego Simeone era. There, a glorious hundredth-minute goal from Antoine Griezmann, dashing past Vinícius and smashing the ball above Andriy Lunin, made it 3-2, running away with his shirt off.
