Copa del Rey: Without Mbappé, Real Madrid takes an option on the final

Real Madrid relied on young Brazilian Endrick on Wednesday to win (1-0) on the pitch of Real Sociedad in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final, in the absence of its star Kylian Mbappé, who was resting after a wisdom tooth operation.

The game was briefly interrupted just before half-time by the referee, who triggered the protocol against insulting or discriminatory language in stadiums, after insulting chants towards young defender Raul Asencio, who was booked for a serious foul on Barrenetxea. In images relayed by the Spanish media, a young Real Sociedad supporter also appears to make monkey gestures towards Brazilian Vinicius Junior, who has already been the victim of this type of racist incident in Spanish stadiums on numerous occasions since his arrival in Madrid in 2018.

Endrick, who had already been decisive in the two previous rounds against Leganés and Celta Vigo, once again seized his chance by scoring the only goal of the game on a lightning counterattack (19th, 1-0), well served by a long, brilliant ball from the Englishman Jude Bellingham. This fourth goal in four Cup games by the 18-year-old Brazilian prodigy, who is lacking playing time behind the "fantastic four" Mbappé, Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo and Bellingham, allows Real Madrid to take a slight advantage before the return match on April 1 at the Santiago Bernabéu.

With the support of its fans in a fiery atmosphere at Anoeta, Real Sociedad did not do badly, but suffered a real lesson in efficiency from the Madrid giant, who struck, as often, on their first opportunity, against the run of play.

Enterprising with the ball, the Basque players in fact had the most dangerous actions of the match without managing to deceive the vigilance of the Ukrainian goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, who started in the Madrid goal in place of Thibaut Courtois in the Cup matches and was imperial on his line on several occasions (4th, 22nd, 27th, 43rd, 49th). Endrick, the hero of the evening for the reigning Spanish and European champions, had the ball for a double on the end of his left foot, but his clear shot hit the bar, while the opposing goalkeeper Alex Remiro seemed beaten (52nd).

Author of two decisive interventions in the final minutes (82nd, 88th), the Spanish international then kept the suspense alive before the return match.