Real Madrid triumphed 1-0 over Real Sociedad during the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final match held on February 26, 2025, at the Reale Arena, San Sebastián. An impressive first-half goal from Endrick proved decisive as the young Brazilian sensation secured victory for Los Blancos.
The match kicked off with great anticipation, particularly as Real Madrid came to the Basque Country without star forward Kylian Mbappe, who was rested due to dental complications. Despite his absence, Carlo Ancelotti's squad remained strong, featuring the return of Jude Bellingham and captain Vinicius Jr., showcasing their resilience after overcoming recent domestic struggles.
The atmosphere at the Reale Arena was electric, with Real Sociedad fans eager to see their team perform well against the famed Madrid side. The home team started confidently, putting pressure on Madrid's defense, with threats coming from Takefusa Kubo and Ander Barrenetxea early on, but they couldn’t capitalize on their chances.
Real Madrid's first significant strike came after 19 minutes when Bellingham found Endrick with stunning precision. The 18-year-old took the ball with his thigh before executing an impressive finish with the outside of his left boot, putting Madrid on the scoreboard. "What a ball by Jude Bellingham! Endrick with a nice touch and finish to make it 1-0 after a great pass by the midfielder!" remarked George Flood during the live commentary.
Following the goal, Madrid held their composure well but faced vibrant resistance from Sociedad, who were relentless in their pursuit of the equalizer. The visitors managed to contain the Sociedad offense, particularly with goalkeeper Andriy Lunin stepping up with some key saves when necessary.
Despite their concerted efforts, society occasionally struggled to find rhythm following Real Madrid's goal. A pressing home side couldn't convert several promising opportunities, including efforts from Barrenetxea and Kubo, who both tested Lunin as the half wore on. The referee even had to handle disruptions from the crowd as some sections expressed their frustration during the match.
During the second half, play resumed with Sociedad searching for parity, but Real Madrid remained composed. Sociedad came close to leveling the score, but again, Lunin was up to the challenge, denying Brais Mendez’s attempts. Amidst growing frustrations, social media discussions brought to light concerns about abuse aimed at Vinicius Jr. from sections of the Sociedad crowd, raising questions about fan conduct at the Reale Arena.
The match continued with solid performances from several players, including Bellingham’s midfield creativity and Endrick's pressing runs, affirming their capabilities to carry Los Blancos through tight contests. Ancelotti praised the squad's efforts following the game, coping well with the fixture congestion and team rotations. "Taking everything faced from the calendar, we did very well," said Ancelotti, emphasizing their capacity to compete at high levels.
With the match approaching its conclusion, Madrid had to weather several late punches from Sociedad, who were desperate for at least one goal to take back to the Bernabeu for the second leg. They pressed forward relentlessly, but Madrid's defense held firm.
The final whistle confirmed Madrid's victory, leaving Sociedad to ponder what could have been. With the aggregate score now favoring Madrid, they will prepare for the return leg on April 1, where Sociedad will hope to overturn the deficit on their home turf. Meanwhile, fans and analysts alike will debate whether Madrid's calculated constraints on player rest and recovery will continue to yield positive results amid their packed schedule.
Overall, Real Madrid's performance showcased both the talent within their squad and the challenges posed by fixture congestion, setting the stage for what promises to be another thrilling chapter when these two teams meet again.