Real Madrid took a slight advantage in their quest for the Copa del Rey final with a narrow win over Real Sociedad away from home.
Without Kylian Mbappé, Real Madrid’s attack struggled to be effective, while Real Sociedad repeatedly threatened their defense. Goalkeeper Andriy Lunin made several crucial saves to keep his team ahead. Thanks to an early goal, Carlo Ancelotti’s side managed to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
On Wednesday night in San Sebastián, the La Liga champions secured a 1-0 win in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final. The only goal of the match came from young forward Endrick.
Real Madrid had 49% possession throughout the game, taking 14 shots, five of which were on target. In contrast, Sociedad managed 11 shots, with six on target.
Mbappé was absent due to dental issues, which gave young talents Arda Güler and Endrick the opportunity to start alongside experienced forward Vinícius Júnior. This was the first time the three had played together in a starting lineup in any competition.
The match also marked Vinícius’ first time wearing the captain’s armband for the Spanish giants.
Sociedad had the first real chance of the game in the fourth minute. Takefusa Kubo played a pass to a teammate outside the box before making a run inside. He received the ball back but saw his angled shot denied by Lunin.
In the 19th minute, Endrick made the most of Madrid’s first clear opportunity. Jude Bellingham delivered a high ball from Madrid’s half, which the Brazilian forward controlled beautifully before slotting it past the goalkeeper.
Endrick has now scored in three consecutive Copa del Rey matches, bringing his tally to four goals in four games in the tournament.
Madrid nearly doubled their lead in the 28th minute when Bellingham advanced from his own half and found Vinícius inside the box. However, Sociedad goalkeeper Álex Remiro made a crucial save to deny him.
In the 35th minute, Vinícius went down inside the box after colliding with a Sociedad defender, but the referee waved away Madrid’s penalty appeals.
Just before halftime, Lunin came to Madrid’s rescue again, stretching out a hand to deny a powerful shot from Ander Barrenetxea.
In added time of the first half, Madrid defender Raúl Asencio received a yellow card for a rough foul on Barrenetxea. Some Sociedad fans responded with chants of “Asencio dive,” leading the referee to briefly stop the game. After consulting with both team captains and coaches, play resumed a few minutes later.
Lunin continued his heroics in the 49th minute, making a brilliant double save—first blocking a close-range header from Mikel Oyarzabal and then stopping Kubo’s follow-up shot.
Endrick came close to scoring again just two minutes later, but his shot rattled the crossbar. In the 82nd minute, Bellingham unleashed a powerful low shot from outside the box, which took a deflection off a defender, but Remiro reacted quickly to make a diving save.
In stoppage time, Sociedad appealed for a penalty after one of their players went down in Madrid’s box, but the referee was unmoved.
The second leg will take place at the Santiago Bernabéu on April 1.
