Real Madrid Edges Sociedad 1-0 in Copa del Rey First Leg

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Real Madrid Edges Sociedad 1-0 in Copa del Rey First Leg \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Real Madrid secured a 1-0 victory over Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey semifinals first leg, thanks to an early goal from Endrick, who stepped up in Kylian Mbappé’s absence. The Brazilian converted a breakaway after a perfect assist from Jude Bellingham. The return leg will be played in April, alongside the Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid rematch, which ended 4-4 in the other semifinal.

Real Madrid’s 1-0 Win Over Sociedad: Quick Looks

Endrick’s Impact: The 18-year-old Brazilian forward scored the game’s only goal, proving his potential.
Mbappé’s Absence: Kylian Mbappé missed the match after having a tooth removed.
Bellingham’s Assist: Jude Bellingham provided a brilliant long pass to set up the goal.
Ancelotti Rotates Squad: Regulars like Thibaut Courtois and Federico Valverde were rested.
Copa del Rey Format: The final will take place in Seville on April 26, with the return leg of the semifinals set for April.

Deep Look

Real Madrid secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Real Sociedad in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals, thanks to a first-half goal from 18-year-old Brazilian forward Endrick. Playing at the Reale Arena, Madrid managed to hold off the home side despite missing star forward Kylian Mbappé, who was sidelined after undergoing a dental procedure.

The win gives Carlo Ancelotti’s squad a key advantage heading into the second leg in April, where Madrid will aim to finish the job at the Santiago Bernabéu and book a spot in the Copa del Rey final in Seville on April 26.

Endrick Steps Up in Mbappé’s Absence

With Mbappé unavailable after having a tooth removed, all eyes were on who would lead the attack for Madrid. The answer came in the form of Endrick, the highly-rated 18-year-old Brazilian, who delivered with a well-taken goal in the first half.

The goal came from a perfectly placed long ball by Jude Bellingham, which allowed Endrick to break free from Sociedad’s defense and calmly slot the ball past the goalkeeper. It was a defining moment for the young forward, who is set to officially join Real Madrid from Palmeiras in July.

With Mbappé’s move to Madrid already confirmed for next season, Endrick is showing early signs that he could be a key figure in Madrid’s future attack.

After the match, Endrick expressed his excitement, saying:

“It’s an honor to score in such an important match. I’m grateful for the opportunity and want to keep helping the team.”

Bellingham, who provided the assist, praised Endrick’s performance:

“He’s a special player. His movement, composure, and finishing were top-class tonight.”

A Tactical Battle: Madrid Holds Firm Against Sociedad

Despite missing several key players, Carlo Ancelotti’s tactical adjustments paid off as Madrid controlled possession and limited Sociedad’s attacking chances.

Thibaut Courtois and Federico Valverde were rested, allowing backups to step in.
Defensively, Madrid was solid, with the backline absorbing Sociedad’s pressure.
Bellingham played a deeper midfield role, helping link defense and attack.

Real Sociedad, meanwhile, had moments of promise but struggled to break down Madrid’s disciplined defense. The Basque club, which last won the Copa del Rey in 2020, was hoping to secure a positive first-leg result at home but now faces an uphill battle at the Bernabéu.

The hosts pushed hard for an equalizer in the second half, but Madrid’s defensive organization and game management helped secure the clean sheet.

Sociedad manager Imanol Alguacil acknowledged the challenge ahead:

“We gave our best, but Madrid is an elite team. We must believe in ourselves and fight back in the second leg.”

Copa del Rey Semifinal: Other Match Ends in a 4-4 Thriller

The other Copa del Rey semifinal took place on Tuesday, where Barcelona and Atletico Madrid played out a stunning 4-4 draw. The high-scoring affair means both teams will head into the second leg in April with everything to play for.

With Madrid securing a narrow first-leg advantage, the Copa del Rey final is shaping up to be an exciting battle.

Madrid’s Copa del Rey History and Road Ahead

Real Madrid is chasing its first Copa del Rey title since 2023. Last season, Los Blancos were eliminated by Atletico Madrid in the round of 16, and this time, they’re determined to go all the way.

The return leg against Sociedad will be held at the Santiago Bernabéu in April, where Madrid will look to capitalize on home advantage and seal their place in the final.

If Madrid advances, they will face either Barcelona or Atletico Madrid in the final, setting up a potential El Clásico or Madrid derby showdown.

With key players like Mbappé and Courtois expected to return for the second leg, Madrid will be even stronger as they aim to secure another domestic trophy.

Conclusion: Madrid Takes Control, But Job Not Done Yet

Madrid’s 1-0 first-leg win puts them in a strong position, but with Sociedad eager to fight back in April, the tie is far from over.

Endrick’s goal proved decisive, showcasing his potential as Madrid’s future star.
Mbappé’s return for the second leg could give Madrid an additional edge.
Sociedad will need to produce a near-perfect performance at the Bernabéu to overturn the deficit.

As Madrid continues its push for silverware, all eyes will be on the second leg in April, where one final step remains between them and a Copa del Rey final.