- Real Madrid defeated Real Sociedad 1-0 in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-finals
- Endrick scored the only goal in the 19th minute, and the return leg is set for 1 April
- The match was briefly halted due to offensive chants directed at Raul Asensio
Key Takeaways:
Real Madrid took a step towards the Copa del Rey final after securing a 1-0 away victory over Real Sociedad in the first leg of the semi-finals. Young Brazilian Endrick scored the only goal in the 19th minute after a precise pass from Jude Bellingham. The second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu is scheduled for 1 April.
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— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) February 27, 2025
The meeting did not match the excitement of Barcelona’s 4-4 draw with Atletico Madrid in the other semi-final, but Los Blancos achieved their objective. Carlo Ancelotti’s side did not produce a standout performance but could have extended their lead, with Endrick also hitting the post. Andriy Lunin, replacing Thibaut Courtois in goal, made several crucial saves to keep a clean sheet. The triumph marked Real Madrid’s second win at Sociedad’s stadium this season, following their 2-0 La Liga victory there in September.
In the first half, play was interrupted when home fans directed insults at Raúl Asensio after a rough challenge. Vinícius Júnior, as captain, brought the matter to the referee’s attention, leading to a stadium announcement warning supporters against racist, xenophobic, or other offensive chants.
Real Madrid were without Kylian Mbappé (dental surgery), Thibaut Courtois (injury), and Federico Valverde (fatigue), but Jude Bellingham was available despite his La Liga suspension. Vinicius Junior wore the captain’s armband for the first time in his career, while Arda Guler, Endrick, and Andriy Lunin received rare opportunities to start from the outset. The hosts fielded key players such as Mikel Oyarzabal, Takefusa Kubo, Brais Mendez, and Martin Zubimendi.