Endrick’s strike secures Copa del Rey’s first leg win

Real Madrid secured a 1-0 victory over Real Sociedad in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi final.

A first half goal from youngster Endrick Felipe in the first half, gave Madrid the edge in the semifinals tie.

Carlo Ancelotti named a changed side for the match, with Vinicius Junior being handed the captain’s armband for the first time as a Real Madrid player. Arda Guler and Endrick also earned their first start after a long while.

Sociedad started the game as the dangerous one as they pushed to open the scoring.

However, Endrick secured the win for Madrid in the 19th minute. The young Brazilian controlled a long-range pass from Jude Bellingham before racing through on goal and placing the ball past La Real goalkeeper Alex Remiro.

The hosts continued to pressure Los Blancos, as they searched for the equaliser, but Madrid kept on being resilient to deny Sociedad.

Just before the interval, Real Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin did brilliantly to stop a stinging effort from Ander Barrenetxea.

The Ukrainian shot-stopper then made a superb save to deny Mikel Oyarzabal at the near post, before quickly recovering to keep out Takefusa Kubo’s follow-up strike from a tight angle.

Real Madrid also had few chances to double the lead but Endrick saw an effort skim the crossbar, while Remiro rescued his side with a stunning stop to deny Bellingham from increasing the scoreline.

The return leg will be in five week’s time at the Santiago Bernabeu. Meanwhile, Real Madrid are in a very strong position to book their place in the Copa del Rey final, and could face either of Barcelona or Atletico Madrid.