'We showed what Real Madrid is about'

In Wednesday's Spanish Super Cup semi-final clash in Riyadh, Real Madrid emerged victorious in a pulsating encounter against city rivals Atletico Madrid. 

The match showcased an eight-goal thriller, with Real Madrid sealing a dramatic 5-3 comeback win in extra time.

The turning point came in the game's dying moments, just as it seemed destined for a penalty shootout. 

Defender Stefan Savic's unfortunate own goal, under pressure from Real Madrid's Joselu, tilted the balance in favour of the white-clad side. The momentum continued with substitute Brahim Diaz capitalising on a counter-attack, taking advantage of Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak being out of position.

Reflecting on the intense contest, Brahim Diaz expressed his elation, stating, "These moments can only be experienced here. All of us who played gave our all." The Malaga-born player emphasised the team's resilience and praised the club's character.

"We showed what we can do and what Real Madrid is about. The pace of the game was intense, and then in extra time, it was difficult. We gave that extra, and we came from behind," he added.

Describing his decisive goal, Brahim Diaz highlighted his speed and awareness of Oblak's positioning. "I'm not slow; I saw that Oblak wasn't in goal, and he's not used to sprinting, and that's why I beat him in the race. I finished really well and celebrated it like a Madrid goal, with passion and right to the end. This is a family, and the whole club is like this," he explained.

Striker Joselu, who played a crucial role in Real Madrid's fourth goal, shared his thoughts on the intense derby. 

"It was a tough and intense derby. We were accompanied by a lot of Madrid fans, and that gave us extra inspiration. There were a lot of goals in the first half, and it could've gone either way. We were confident until the last moment and were convincing after we made it 3-3," said Joselu.

Joselu highlighted the team's dominance in extra time, emphasising their fresher legs and superior play. "In extra-time, they were tired, and we were superior. We dominated 100% of all the play in extra time. That's where everything turned, and that's when the two goals came. We both wanted to win, and we deserved this victory," he concluded.

Real Madrid now await the winner of the other semi-final match between Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao for the final.