Real Madrid - Real Sociedad: Copa del Rey Match Summary

Real Madrid became the first finalist of the Copa del Rey after eliminating Real Sociedad in extra time. Endrick, with a goal in the first leg and another in the second leg, Bellingham,Tchouaméni and Rüdiger sealed the Whites' passage. The Whites already await their final opponent, which will be the winner of the match between Atlético de Madrid and Barça.

Carlo Ancelotti, aware of the importance of the match, opted for a very competitive line-up but with some notable rotation. Eduardo Camavinga replaced Fran García on the left flank, while Endrick came in for Kylian Mbappé at the forefront of the attack. The Brazilian, in his favorite tournament so far this season, completed a forward line that also included Vinícius and Rodrygo.

Real Added Spice from the Start

It was precisely Endrick who first tried to unsettle Álex Remiro with a half-turn shot that went wide. Several seconds later, the Brazilian striker almost opened the scoring with a bicycle kick that could have gone viral worldwide. Real Sociedad, with more composure, avoided an early goal from Real Madrid at all costs, who started better in the match.

However, it was the 'txuri urdin' team that took the lead thanks to a goal by Ander Barrenetxea in the 16th minute. In a play where Real Sociedad managed to maintain ball control, the winger received the ball with the entire lane open to finish. Andriy Lunin couldn't do anything to stop the shot after a play where Asencio wasn't accurate.

Real Madrid immediately sought a response with a shot from Bellingham from the right side that ended up going wide. Several attempts by the Whites in a few minutes after losing the advantage gained at the Reale Arena thanks to Endrick's goal. Meanwhile, Real Sociedad's objective remained to avoid conceding to reach the final stretch of the match with options.

A Perfect Response from Endrick

As time went on, the Bernabéu began to emit small murmurs at a new version of the team that was leaving doubts. Murmurs that turned into applause from the man of the Copa in the 30th minute. Endrick, after a magnificent pass from Vinícius, finished with an outstanding chip over Álex Remiro to equalize.

A chip that returned the advantage in the tie to Real Madrid and confirmed Endrick's great relationship with the Copa. Five goals in five matches. Once again, the Brazilian earned the applause of a Bernabéu that would like to see more of his soccer in the coming months.

The draw returned more positive feelings to the Madrid team, although Real Madrid couldn't take the lead before halftime. Meanwhile, Real Sociedad, which continued betting on ball possession, didn't manage to unsettle the Whites' defense much more.

Time for Mbappé and Alaba's Bad Luck

The Madrid team came out of the locker room tunnel much better than their rival. In fact, Real Madrid had several chances in the early minutes of the second half to score the 2-1. Additionally, Carlo Ancelotti, with the aim of sealing the tie and avoiding scares, sent Kylian Mbappé, Luka Modric, and Brahim to warm up.

The Santiago Bernabéu soon received a scare, but not from a Real Sociedad opportunity. Sergio Gómez, in a struggle for the ball with Valverde, stepped fully on the Uruguayan's foot, prompting the medical team to enter the field. At that moment, the worst was feared, but the midfielder was able to continue playing without major problems.

It was in the 66th minute of the match when Carlo Ancelotti decided to bring Mbappé onto the field for an Endrick who once again delivered. The Frenchman's entry provoked the euphoria of a Bernabéu that also lashed out at Alberola Rojas for some of his decisions. Meanwhile, Real Sociedad, which began to grow, could have taken the lead with a double chance that Lunin managed to repel.

Without generating excessive danger, the Basque team ended up finding the reward of a goal in a play where Alaba had very bad luck. A run down the byline by Pablo Marín ended with a cross that deflected off the Austrian's leg. With 18 minutes left, the ball ended up in the net after a play that exposed the team's defensive situation.

Madness Arrived at Santiago Bernabéu

Alaba's misfortune multiplied a few minutes later after a long-range shot by Oyarzabal that ended up in a goal again. The defender, unintentionally, touched the ball and completely changed its trajectory for Andriy Lunin once more. 1-3 and Real Sociedad was in the grand final.

However, Real Madrid seems not to know how to win a tie without suffering, and today was another proof of that. Vinícius, with a spectacular action, set up the 2-3 for Bellingham, who finished perfectly. It didn't stop there, as Tchouaméni made it 3-3 with a great header where Remiro could have done more.

A few minutes in which absolutely everything happened and in which Real Sociedad, far from giving up, made it 3-4. In the 93rd minute, Oyarzabal, taking advantage of a mistake by Andriy Lunin in the air, headed in to force extra time.

Rüdiger Seals the Passage to the Grand Final

As against Celta in this Copa and as against Atlético in the Champions, Madrid had to face another extra time. Another one at Santiago Bernabéu after the last 20 minutes in which up to five goals were scored.

With more chances, but without finishing dangerous actions due to a lack of precision. Real Madrid tried to strike first in extra time with a chance from Vinícius, but Real Sociedad was still alive. The 'txuri urdin' team, far from having ball control, began to close spaces to reach the penalty shootout.

Real Sociedad had to play with one less after a harsh tackle by Olasagasti on Vinícius. Alberola Rojas, who saw the action from a few meters away, decided to punish the visiting player with a yellow card that no one understood. Additionally, Madrid fans also remembered the penalty on Bellingham not called by the referee in the second half.

However, destiny had a spot reserved for Real Madrid in the final at La Cartuja, and Rüdiger ended up confirming it. The German, very superior in the air, headed a corner kick perfectly to make it 4-4. A header that definitively sentenced a Real Sociedad that sold their elimination very dearly.

Finally, Madrid, which had to work hard to qualify, will face Atlético or Barça in the final. The Madrid club will once again play the most decisive match of the Copa del Rey on April 26.