Real Madrid emerged with a slender 1-0 lead in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final against Real Sociedad, courtesy of Endrick’s strike in the first half, which halted the hosts’ impressive five-match winning streak on their home turf.
With key players like Thibaut Courtois, Federico Valverde, and Kylian Mbappé rested by Carlo Ancelotti, Madrid’s sluggish start was perhaps to be expected.
Takefusa Kubo looked to exploit his old club’s vulnerabilities, executing a clever one-two with Brais Méndez before unleashing a shot aimed at the near post, which Andriy Lunin managed to deflect away.
Despite Sociedad’s energetic opening, they were unable to capitalise, allowing Los Blancos to strike back in their typical counter-attacking style.
A precise long ball from Jude Bellingham found Endrick, who expertly controlled it and then, with his second touch, launched a composed shot with the outside of his boot, rolling the ball past a stranded Álex Remiro for his fourth goal of the Copa this season.
Unfazed, Imanol Alguacil’s side sought a way back into the contest, but Lunin stood firm, repelling efforts from Méndez and Mikel Oyarzabal in quick succession.
The threat posed by Madrid in transition, led by Bellingham, was significant, and they nearly extended their lead shortly after when the Englishman threaded a pass to Vinícius Júnior, only for Remiro to produce a stunning save.
Ander Barrenetxea nearly equalised just before half-time, forcing Lunin into a fantastic stop, but the match was briefly halted as the referee responded to the distasteful chants resonating from the crowd.
Upon the resumption, both teams created opportunities, with Oyarzabal’s close-range header being blocked by Lunin, while Endrick struck the crossbar at the other end.
Lucas Vázquez, brought on at the break, also went close, cutting in from the right but firing over, as the atmosphere within the Reale Arena grew increasingly muted due to Sociedad’s inability to build momentum.
As the final 10 minutes approached, Sociedad owed their survival to a remarkable reflex save from Remiro, who managed to parry a shot from Bellingham that had taken a nasty deflection.
Sociedad struggled to find their rhythm in the second half, leaving their hope of progressing in the Copa dependent on a strong performance at the Bernabéu, a venue where they celebrated lifting the trophy in the 2019/20 season under Imanol’s management.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid remains unbeaten in their last seven matches across all competitions, eyeing their 21st Copa del Rey title.
Check out a summary of the match here
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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