Real Sociedad welcomed Real Madrid at the Reale Arena in San Sebastián for their Copa del Rey semifinal first-round match which ended 1-0 in favor of the visitors on February 26, 2025. A solitary superb move from teenage sensation Endrick made the Reale Arena nightly special. Real Madrid took a low-scoring advantage into the second match after Endrick executed his finished goal. Beyond the goal the match provided spectators with insights into both teams’ upcoming prospects along with tactical wars and display of determination.
First Half: Endrick Shines Bright
Early Sparks Light Up Real Madrid vs. Real Sociedad
The team from Real Madrid controlled the match from kickoff onward. The team’s manager Carlo Ancelotti combined refreshed squad members with players who have extensive match experience. Kylian Mbappé stayed on the bench following dental surgery and Thibaut Courtois and Federico Valverde received their rest. Nevertheless, the visitors surged forward. After his La Liga ban expired Jude Bellingham led the Real Sociedad defense forward and Vinicius Jr. raced through the left side of the field.
The hosts experienced great difficulty sustaining their performance in the match. Real Sociedad seeking to increase their support base played their latest home match against Leganés following their league victory. Mikel Oyarzabal joined Takefusa Kubo in attacking positions but they introduced their attacks without adequate precision. The struggling fifth-minute cross from Kubo defeated the fans with its improper delivery. A sense of electricity filled the Reale Arena before brief chants interrupted the match flow for a short period.
The Breakthrough in Real Madrid vs. Real Sociedad
Real Madrid scored their breakthrough goal in the nineteenth minute. Bellingham read an opening pass to Endrick before making a clinical delivery. The 18-year-old Brazilian made a calm finish to beat Álex Remiro during the match. Every acoustic in the stadium stopped except for the loud cheers of the Madrid supporters at that moment. Real Madrid’s counterattacking style became evident through the tactical goal scored by Bellingham before Endrick sealed the final scoring move in Ancelotti’s desired system. Yet, Real Sociedad didn’t buckle.
In the second part of the match Real Sociedad launched their comeback
Hosts Rally in Real Madrid vs. Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad implemented different strategies when they recovered from their initial mistakes. A higher-pressure attack from Real Sociedad started after Imanol Alguacil ordered Martín Zubimendi to hold the midfield position and deploy Brais Méndez for offensive chances. Consequently, chances emerged. Oyarzabal tried to equalize play during the 25th minute by hitting a bending shot that missed the target. Lunin remained strong in his position as Kubo delivered a test to him in goal moments later. The Real Madrid defense made consistently solid stands with Tchouaméni and Rüdiger in its starting lineup despite brief defensive disorganization.
Vinicius Jr. constantly harassed the right side of Real Sociedad during the match. His quickness combined with his artful skills ended up attracting dangerous foul penalties but he failed to increase Madrid’s score. The substitute forward Arda Güler proved capable despite stepping in for Mbappé during his absence. A shot from Kubo in the 33rd minute pushed Remiro to make a diving stop which prevented the score from becoming more unequal. Real Sociedad showed determination which limited Real Madrid’s control of the ball even though the match neared its halftime stage.
Tension Peaks Post-Break
Real Sociedad made a powerful comeback during the second part of the match. The substitutions made by Alguacil led to an assertive home team performance that propelled Real Sociedad forward during the second half. Ander Barrenetxea brought speed to the match when he entered the game and his explosive run through the defense made Lunin save in the 52nd minute. The crisp passes from Zubimendi staffed up Madrid defensive positions and Méndez put a shot wide from the penalty spot during the second half. Suddenly, the tide turned.
However, Real Madrid adjusted. Ancelotti ordered his players to stand together as a compact unit which produced the desired result. Tchouaméni and Rüdiger defended successfully and Eduardo Camavinga maintained a nonstop forward motion to disrupt Real Sociedad’s approaching sequences. Still, the hosts created openings. The Real Sociedad players and audience gasped as Oyarzabal sent a Kubo cross header drifting wide in the 65th minute of the match. Fran García’s mistake opened an opportunity for Barrenetxea but Lunin demonstrated his reflexes by saving the chance.
Key Moments and Tactical Insights
Clutch Plays Define Real Madrid vs. Real Sociedad
Real Madrid kept generating threatening offensive activities throughout the match. Vinicius was a constant danger for Real Madrid during the match until Remiro made a crucial stoppage to save his attempt in the seventy-minute. Bellingham expanded his impact throughout the duration of the match. Real Sociedad faced difficulties in response to his persistency but his choice of final passes failed to link up with his teammates. Ancelotti made his substitution by bringing on Dani Ceballos which brought composure to the defense as Madrid maintained their position.
The remaining game minutes brought an intense surge in competition. When Real Sociedad poured their offense toward the opposing goal they ended up failing to score. A late attacking episode during the 87th minute showed Zubeldia’s effort which Rüdiger blocked as it highlighted the defensive fortitude of Madrid. During the match Real Madrid gave multiple opportunities to take control of the game which they failed to convert. Despite his spectacular earlier performance Endrick pushed a late shot wide of the goal while Vinicius completed his dangerous run by misplacing his touch. When the match ended the visitors claimed victory through their determined performance.
Tactical Takeaways from the Clash
Tactically, Ancelotti’s rotations proved clever. The substitutions he made during the first half prevented exhaustion while giving the reserves an opportunity to perform effectively. Endrick demonstrated his promising qualities through his goal while Bellingham demonstrated his worth by returning to action. Real Sociedad became annoyed because they were unable to score from their numerous scoring opportunities. Alguacil’s team exhibited fighting spirit during the match despite their ongoing difficulty making successful transitions against Madrid professional football team.
Standout Players
Heroes of Real Madrid vs. Real Sociedad
Endrick made the strongest impression of all players in that match. The youngster projected his ascending talent through both an excellent goal and mature playing style. Bellingham captivated spectators by conducting the game with a level of experience that exceeded his young age. The attacking performance of Vinicius without scoring goals sufficed as he constantly disturbed opposing defense while Lunin secured the match with crucial saves. Christian Güler failed to establish stability throughout the match because García made costly mistakes that caused increased defensive pressure.
Kubo delivered dazzling movement throughout the game yet his passing last moments proved inadequate for Real Sociedad. Oyarzabal confronted defenders with determination but the match avoided yielding his goal. Zubimendi led the midfield with top-level performance but Méndez and Barrenetxea faltered in their attempts at decisive scoring opportunities. The goalkeeper Remiro managed to prevent multiple goals thanks to his crucial defensive reactions despite conceding goals.
Looking Ahead
Second Leg Stakes in Real Madrid vs. Real Sociedad
Real Madrid starts the second match against Real Sociedad with their 1-0 lead at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium during April 1, 2, or 3. The marginal lead position ensures Real Madrid controls the match. The combination of Kubo, Oyarzabal and other attacking talents at Real Sociedad presents a threat to any defensive errors. Real Madrid receives additional support during second matches at the home stadium of Bernabéu. The match remains tightly balanced although Real Madrid maintain a slight advantage in the second match.
Real Madrid’s manager Ancelotti faces a challenging situation from managing their La Liga matches alongside cup commitments. The upcoming games become more interesting as the three key players Mbappé and Courtois and Valverde prepare to return to the field. Alguacil requires the ability to drive motivation into his players. The Madrid team needs to begin their match with authority to redirect game flow yet they must convert their chances into goals to succeed. Either way, the Copa del Rey final—possibly against Atlético Madrid or Barcelona—looms large.
Copa del Rey Context
Tournament Drama Intensifies
The match revealed a competitive nature which resembles the unusual characteristic that has emerged in recent Copa del Rey matches. The previous day Barcelona and Atlético Madrid played an intense semifinal first leg fixture that ended with four goals each. The competition will deliver an exciting finish because of its current unpredictable nature. For Real Madrid, a 20th Copa title beckons, while Real Sociedad chase their fourth. The growth of Madrid toward victory is supported by their single defeat in their previous 11 away contests across all competitions.
Fan Buzz and Final Reflections
Voices from the Stands
Post-match, social media lit up. Fans of Madrid Stadium declared Endrick to be “the next big thing” as everyone praised him upon his arrival. Several fans commended Bellingham’s playing skills yet several others criticized Ancelotti’s defensive approach during the match. Sociedad supporters faced their side’s inefficient performance with optimistic attitudes following the match. “We will seize victory during our upcoming Bernabéu match” declared a loyal supporter.
The 1-0 outcome creates thrilling circumstances for Real Sociedad as they prepare for the rematch at the Bernabéu. Real Madrid launched the attack through youthful skills and clever moves but Real Sociedad continues to battle in their tie. The sides understand that the ongoing struggle continues beyond San Sebastián as the stadium noises vanish. The successful strike from Endrick positions Real Madrid with an advantageous position.
