Madrid take the lead and will play for a place in the Copa final at the Bernabéu

Real Madrid won at the Reale Arene to take the initiative in their attempt to book a place in the Copa del Rey final. A gorgeous Endrick goal with 19 minutes gone was enough to decide the first leg of the semi-final. In the second half, the Brazilian could have completed his brace, but he saw his effort come back off the crossbar. The finalist will now be decided at the Santiago Bernabéu on the 1st of April.
The game got underway at a blistering pace, with Real Sociedad pressing high and Real Madrid keeping their shape well and running for each other. They gave the hosts barely any space to breathe, but with four minutes gone Kubo won the ball back and managed to link with Brais, only for his shot to be kept out by Lunin. Our team responded in convincing fashion with 19 minutes on the clock. Bellingham's sublime long ball from inside his own half found Endrick, and the Brazilian did the rest. He brought the ball under control with a delightful touch, before guiding a perfect finish into the back of the net with the outside of his left boot.

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The opener seemed to bring a sense of calm to proceedings, although there were another couple of decent chances before the half-hour mark, one at either end. Oyarzabal got his shot off from inside the area on 27’, but the ball rolled harmlessly into Lunin's gloves. Soon after, Ancelotti's side could have doubled their lead when a swift counter was nearly capped off by Vini Jr., only for Remiro to produce a superb diving stop to keep him out. From that point until half-time, the only real moment of note was a Barrenetxea strike from the edge of the box, which was tipped behind by Lunin for a corner.

Endrick hits the woodwork
Real Madrid looked more comfortable once the teams emerged from the tunnel for the second period, though the first chance of the half fell to the hosts on 49’. Barrenetxea whipped the ball to the back stick, where Oyarzabal's header was blocked by Lunin, who did well to make himself big. Ancelotti's team were finding their way through the home side's press time and again though, and Endrick could have completed a double just two minutes later. Vini Jr.'s measured left-footed pass picked out his compatriot, who controlled brilliantly and unleashed a powerful drive which crashed back off the crossbar.

The minutes ticked by in a largely uneventful manner at the Reale Arena, until the 81st minute, when Bellingham could have made it two. His shot from the edge of the area struck Zubeldia and nearly caught Remiro out, but the goalkeeper reacted brilliantly to stop the ball ending up in the back of the net. The same duo were at it again just minutes later, when the Englishman let fly from distance, only to be foiled once more by the inspired shot-stopper. Madrid played the closing minutes a man down following Ceballos' injury, but held onto their 1-0 advantage. The Copa finalist will be decided at the Santiago Bernabéu on the 1st of April.