The Brazilian youngster scored the only goal as Carlo Ancelotti’s side took another step towards cup glory
Endrick enjoyed his best night to date in a Real Madrid shirt, while Jude Bellingham pulled the strings in midfield as Los Blancos cruised to a 1-0 win in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final tie with Real Sociedad.
What Madrid lacked in their usual attacking thrust, they made up for with midfield smarts and defensive nous. Endrick grabbed the only goal, and Carlo Ancelotti’s men were comfortable in their lead throughout.
La Real threatened early, the dangerous Take Kubo stinging Andriy Lunin’s palms after a well-worked move. Endrick buried Madrid’s first real chance. Bellingham created it, a left-footed ping sending the young Brazilian through, who burned his man before poking home. Vinicius could have made it 2-0 soon after, but was well-denied from a tight angle.
Madrid never really grabbed control of the contest – but they did threaten in moments. Endrick was always there after the break, a menace on the counter. He rattled the crossbar with a powerful strike after some neat footwork on the 50 minute mark.
It was a question of game management from there. Bellingham buzzed around midfield, and kept things tidy – while also offering an attacking threat. For the most part, though, the fixture was played in the middle of the park, Los Blancos seldom truly threatened. Real Sociedad have scored 23 goals in 25 La Liga games, and it showed here, their struggles carrying over into the cup. There is still more football to be played in this tie. Madrid hold what is a fairly narrow aggregate lead. But any sort of advantage feels like it might be too tough to overcome at the Santiago Bernabeu. Carlo Ancelotti’s men are one step closer to yet another trophy.
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