French football fans were treated to a dramatic weekend of cup action, with storylines ranging from a snow-delayed clash to a dazzling debut by a young Brazilian star. The French Cup round of 32 delivered plenty of excitement, but perhaps the most talked-about moment was Endrick’s sensational first goal for Lyon, which helped secure their place in the last 16. The teenager’s performance comes at a pivotal moment in his career, as he looks to reignite his promise after a challenging spell at Real Madrid.
On Sunday, January 11, 2026, all eyes turned to the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille, where Lyon faced a formidable Lille side in a knockout battle. Lyon’s fans, eager for a spark in a season of ups and downs, hardly had time to settle into their seats before the action began. Incredibly, Afonso Moreira fired Lyon into the lead just 49 seconds after the referee’s opening whistle, capitalizing on a long punt forward that caught the Lille defense napping. The early goal sent shockwaves through the stadium and set the tone for a frenetic first half.
Lille, however, refused to be rattled. The hosts regrouped quickly and began to pile on the pressure. Their persistence paid off two minutes before the half-hour mark, when Nathan Ngoy pounced on a loose ball following a failed Lyon clearance. Hakon Haraldsson’s quick thinking set up Ngoy, who made no mistake, slotting home to level the score at 1-1. The home crowd roared, sensing that momentum was shifting in Lille’s favor.
Yet, just as Lille appeared to be taking control, Lyon’s newest recruit stepped up in spectacular fashion. Endrick, the 19-year-old Brazilian forward on loan from Real Madrid, had been a subject of much debate in recent months. Once hailed as one of South America’s brightest young talents, Endrick found opportunities scarce at Real Madrid, making only three appearances—just one as a starter in the Copa del Rey—since his high-profile move in 2024. With his contract at the Spanish giants running until June 2030, Endrick’s loan to Lyon was seen by many as a critical juncture in his development.
As halftime approached, Lyon earned a corner kick. Corentin Tolisso, ever the orchestrator, flicked the ball on at the near post. Endrick, demonstrating the poacher’s instinct that made him a sought-after prospect, ghosted in at the back post and clinically finished the chance. The ball rippled the net, and Lyon’s bench erupted in celebration. According to AFP, Endrick "tucked home a tidy poacher's finish to hand Lyon a 2-1 win at Lille on his debut." The goal, scored just before half-time, ultimately proved to be the match-winner, sending Lyon through to the last 16 of the French Cup and giving their supporters hope for a deep cup run.
It was a moment of redemption and perhaps a glimpse of things to come for Endrick. The young Brazilian’s journey has been anything but straightforward. After Real Madrid splashed out a reported €47.5 million for his signature, expectations soared. But with fierce competition for places at the Spanish club, Endrick struggled for meaningful minutes, prompting the loan move to Lyon. Now, with a goal on his debut, he’s made a statement that he’s ready for the challenge of French football. As reported by One Football, "Practically forgotten at the Spanish club, Endrick was loaned by Real Madrid to Lyon until mid-year." The French side’s faith in their new striker seems well placed, at least on this evidence.
Elsewhere in France, the cup drama was no less intense. Ligue 1 leaders Lens continued their remarkable run, notching a ninth consecutive victory in all competitions with a 3-0 win at Sochaux. The match, delayed by a blizzard, saw Odsonne Edouard open the scoring in the 22nd minute. Lens only made their dominance count late on, as Matthieu Udol and Abdallah Sima found the net in the 87th and 89th minutes respectively, finally breaking the resistance of their third-tier opponents. Lens, who have never won the French Cup, appear determined to end that drought this season.
Nice and Nantes provided a penalty shootout thriller, with Nice advancing 5-3 after a 1-1 draw in regulation time. Montpellier cruised to a 4-0 victory at Metz, while Rennes dispatched fourth-tier Chantilly 3-1. Le Mans also secured their place in the next round, prevailing 4-1 on penalties after a stalemate with Nancy. The variety of results and the presence of upsets and close calls only added to the magic of the French Cup, a competition renowned for its unpredictability and drama.
Back in Spain, meanwhile, there was disappointment for Real Madrid. On the same day as Endrick’s heroics in France, Los Blancos fell 3-2 to arch-rivals Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final. The result added to the sense of transition at the club, with young talents like Endrick seeking opportunities elsewhere and established stars facing new challenges. For Real Madrid fans, the hope is that Endrick’s loan spell at Lyon will provide him with the experience and confidence needed to return and make a lasting impact in the famous white shirt.
Endrick’s debut goal for Lyon has already sparked conversation among supporters and pundits alike. Will his spell in France be the catalyst for a breakthrough at Real Madrid? Or will he carve out a new path in Ligue 1? For now, Lyon fans are simply enjoying the moment. As the French Cup rolls on, all eyes will be on the Brazilian teenager to see if he can keep delivering when it matters most.
With the French Cup’s round of 16 now set, anticipation is building for more surprises, upsets, and individual brilliance. Endrick’s arrival has given Lyon a timely boost, and with Lens in red-hot form, the stage is set for a gripping next round. One thing’s for sure: the magic of the cup is alive and well in France, and its newest star is just getting started.
