Three ex-Chelsea stars combine as Kepa howler sees Real Madrid let in ‘most impressive own goal ever’ against Atletico
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 Arrizabalaga flapped the ball in off team-mate Antonio Rudiger – under pressure from a third former Blues’ player, Atletico striker Alvaro Morata.
It was the most undignified moment of an unbelievable game in Riyad.
The tie later went to extra-time at 3-3 before an own goal from Atletico’s Stefan Savic and Brahim Diaz’s freak breakaway strike 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 unlucky moment meant Atletico led 3-2 with just 12 minutes of normal time remaining.
However, Dani Carvajal hammered Real all square.
And in the 116th minute a cruel deflection off Savic spiralled in.
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Diaz rounded off victory by tapping in on the counter-attack after desperate Atletico stopper Jan Oblak went up for a corner at the other end and was left stranded.
But despite that sizzling climax, many fans focused on Rudiger’s earlier misfortune.
Kepa came out hesitantly to meet an inswinging cross from Rodrigo Riquelme but pawed the ball straight at Rudiger, who had little chance of avoiding an own-goal ricochet.
Most viewers blamed the Costa Rica No1 who is 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.”
Another baffled fan wrote: “What did this mean LOL.”
“Bizarre,” was another online verdict, with the harshest assessment of all being: “Kepa being a goalkeeper just shows that I can also be a player.”