Endrick scored the only goal of the match as Real Madrid recorded a 1-0 victory over Real Sociedad in Wednesday night’s Copa del Rey semi-final first leg at Anoeta Stadium.
Kylian Mbappe‘s absence opened the door for Endrick to earn a rare start, and the 18-year-old made the most of the opportunity to hand Los Blancos a narrow advantage ahead of the return leg at Bernabeu in little over one month.
Real Madrid are bidding to win their 21st Copa del Rey trophy this season, while Real Sociedad are aiming to lift the trophy for just the third time, and the winner of this last-four contest will take on either Barcelona or Atletico Madrid in a glamorous final.
SPORTS MOLE’S VERDICT
© Imago
This will not go down as an all-time classic, but Endrick’s first-half strike has seen Real Madrid secure an advantage in the tie, and Carlo Ancelotti‘s side are now the heavy favourites to make the Copa del Rey final.
Thibaut Courtois, Federico Valverde and Mbappe were among those missing for Real Madrid, with Arda Guler and Endrick both handed starts amid the speculation surrounding their futures.
Los Blancos are going for a treble this season, and this was a huge result during a key stage of the campaign, with the away side’s rearguard action the most impressive part of their performance.
Jude Bellingham returned to run the show, but Aurelien Tchouameniwho has been heavily criticised this season, was also excellent in the middle of the defence against a Real Sociedad side that lacked conviction.
La Real have been incredibly inconsistent this season considering the quality in their squad, and the Basque outfit now have a huge task on their hands in terms of making the final of the competition.
REAL SOCIEDAD VS. REAL MADRID HIGHLIGHTS
Endrick goal vs. Real Sociedad (19th min, Real Sociedad 0-1 Real Madrid)
Real Madrid make the breakthrough in the 19th minute of the contest, and it is Endrick on the scoresheet, with the striker collecting an excellent pass from Bellingham before finishing into the back of the net. Brilliant goal from the Spanish champions!
MAN OF THE MATCH – JUDE BELLINGHAM
© Imago
Bellingham is currently banned in La Liga and will also miss the first leg of Real Madrid’s last-16 Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid, but he was able to feature on Wednesday, and the Englishman was the best player on the pitch.
It was Bellingham’s superb pass that Endrick gathered in order to find the back of the net for the game’s only goal, and he was a dominant force for Los Blancos during a strong defensive performance against La Real.
REAL SOCIEDAD VS. REAL MADRID MATCH STATS
Possession: Real Sociedad 52% -48% Real Madrid
Shots: Real Sociedad 11-14 Real Madrid
Shots on target: Real Sociedad 6-5 Real Madrid
Corners: Real Sociedad 8-8 Real Madrid
Fouls: Real Sociedad 17-9 Real Madrid
BEST STATS
WHAT NEXT?
Both sides will now switch their attention back to La Liga, with Real Madrid heading to Real Betis on Saturday evening, while Real Sociedad are in action away to Barcelona on Sunday afternoon.
Los Blancos are currently second in the The Table Leaguebehind leaders Barcelona on the head-to-head record, while Real Sociedad are ninth, 14 points behind fourth-placed Athletic Bilbao.
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