What a whirlwind Sunday it turned out to be for Brazilian sensation Endrick! On a day when his parent club Real Madrid suffered a stinging defeat to arch-rivals Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final, the 19-year-old forward made his mark hundreds of miles away, helping Olympique Lyonnais secure a gritty 2-1 victory over Lille in the Coupe de France. With his debut goal, Endrick not only announced his arrival in French football but also propelled Lyon into the Round of 16, injecting fresh hope into a side looking to turn their season around.
The stage was set at Stade Pierre-Mauroy in northern France, where Lyon, under the stewardship of coach Paulo Fonseca, faced a determined Lille outfit in the French Cup’s Round of 32. The match had all the makings of a tense cup tie: two teams with recent managerial changes, key players missing due to international duty, and a handful of young talents eager to seize their moment. But it was Endrick, the Real Madrid loanee, who stole the spotlight with a performance that had Lyon fans buzzing and Madridistas perhaps wondering what might have been.
Lyon wasted no time making their intentions clear. In a stunning opening sequence, Portuguese forward Afonso Moreira capitalized on a defensive mix-up by Lille’s back-up goalkeeper Arnaud Bodart, prodding the ball home just 49 seconds after kickoff. The early goal set the tone for a frenetic first half, with Lille scrambling to regain composure and Lyon eager to press their advantage. Bodart’s shaky start nearly cost Lille again when Endrick rifled a long-range effort off the post, signaling the Brazilian’s intent to leave a mark on his debut.
Lille, however, weren’t about to roll over. After weathering the initial storm, they found their rhythm and drew level in the 28th minute. Felix Correia’s cross forced a clumsy parry from Lyon’s Rémy Descamps, and Hakon Haraldsson was quick to square the rebound to defender Nathan Ngoy, who made no mistake from close range. Suddenly, the match was back in the balance, and the home crowd roared their approval as Lille pushed forward with renewed vigor.
But just as Lille seemed to have seized the momentum, Lyon struck again—this time through their new Brazilian starlet. With halftime approaching, Corentin Tolisso, the tireless 2018 World Cup winner, produced a moment of magic, deftly flicking Moreira’s swerving cross to the far post. Endrick, showing the poacher’s instinct that made him a hot commodity in South America, ghosted in unmarked and swept a low left-footed shot past Bodart in the 42nd minute. The goal, which ultimately proved to be the winner, was a textbook striker’s finish and a testament to Endrick’s anticipation and movement.
“He was lively and involved throughout his debut and took his goal, at such an important moment, with composure. A promising debut,” noted Bastien Cheval of GFFN, echoing the sentiments of many observers who saw Endrick’s arrival as a potential turning point for Lyon’s attack.
The second half saw Lille pressing for an equalizer, but Lyon’s defense, marshaled by Dutch center-back Ruben Kluivert, stood firm. Kluivert, who had endured criticism earlier in the campaign for inconsistent performances, was imperious on the night, stepping up in the absence of Moussa Niakhaté, who is away at the Africa Cup of Nations. Lille’s attacking options dwindled further when veteran midfielder Benjamin André was forced off with a shoulder injury, and even the introduction of Olivier Giroud couldn’t tip the scales. The closest Lille came was a long-range strike from Tiago Santos that rattled Descamps’ post, but Lyon’s resolve never wavered.
Endrick’s debut was more than just a goal; it was a statement. After a frustrating first half of the season with Real Madrid—where he managed just three appearances, only one as a starter in the Copa del Rey—the young Brazilian was desperate for minutes and a chance to prove himself. Lyon, recognizing his potential, secured his services on loan until mid-year, hoping he could inject some much-needed firepower into their forward line. The move, reportedly encouraged by former Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti (now Endrick’s boss with the Brazilian national team), already looks inspired.
“He was encouraged to look elsewhere by former Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti, who is now Endrick’s coach with Brazil,” reported the Associated Press, highlighting the supportive environment that has allowed Endrick to flourish when given the opportunity. Last season under Ancelotti, Endrick scored seven goals in 37 games for Madrid, showcasing his speed, dribbling ability, and spectacular finishing. However, under new Madrid boss Xabi Alonso, opportunities dried up, prompting the teenager to seek a fresh challenge in France.
Endrick’s journey has been nothing short of remarkable. He started his career at São Paulo-based Palmeiras, where his prodigious talent earned him a “dream” move to Real Madrid in 2024 for a reported 47.5 million euros. Still only 19, he has already scored three goals for Brazil’s senior national team and remains under contract with Madrid until June 2030. The question now is whether his successful debut at Lyon will reignite his prospects in Spain or set him on a new trajectory altogether.
Elsewhere in the Coupe de France, Ligue 1 leaders Lens continued their winning streak with a 3-0 victory at Sochaux, while Nice edged Nantes on penalties and Montpellier enjoyed a comprehensive 4-0 win at Metz. Rennes also advanced, rallying to defeat fourth-tier Chantilly 3-1. The French Cup, as always, delivered its share of drama and upsets, but the spotlight belonged firmly to Endrick and his electric Lyon debut.
As the final whistle sounded at Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lyon’s players and supporters celebrated a hard-fought win and the emergence of a new attacking threat. For Endrick, it was a night to remember—a debut goal, a statement performance, and perhaps the start of something special in French football. With his loan spell running until mid-year and Lyon’s cup ambitions still alive, all eyes will be on the young Brazilian to see if he can build on this dazzling first impression.
For now, Lyon march on to the Round of 16, buoyed by fresh hope and the promise of their new number nine. And as for Endrick? If this debut is any indication, French defenders had better be on high alert—the Brazilian wonderkid has arrived, and he’s hungry for more.
