Away at Anoeta, a notoriously difficult ground for opponents, Real Madrid secured a 1-0 victory in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final. Despite a strong performance from Real Sociedad, Endrick and Lunin, among others, played a key role in the Madrid side’s success. Here are Carlo Ancelotti’s player ratings.
Andriy Lunin (8)
What a match from the young Ukrainian goalkeeper! Back in goal for Real Madrid, as he has been in the Copa del Rey for years, Lunin put in a stellar performance. Early in the game, he made some tough saves. Just before Endrick’s opening goal, he pulled off a world-class stop. Throughout the match, Andriy Lunin made crucial saves and played a huge role in securing the result.
Fran García (6)
A solid match from the Spanish left-back. As usual, his speed was evident, and thanks to his determination, he delivered an acceptable performance. Initially struggling, Ferland Mendy’s understudy eventually found his rhythm and controlled the Basque attackers well. Offensively, he also contributed by creating numerical superiority in attack.
Antonio Rüdiger (6)
The German rock had a mixed game. Early on, Rüdiger made risky challenges that could have cost Real Madrid dearly. However, using his experience, the German international managed to position himself well and neutralise several dangerous aerial threats. A decent overall performance from the 31-year-old defender.
Aurélien Tchouaméni (7)
Returning to defence, the Frenchman impressed with several key interventions. Under pressure in the opening minutes—like the entire team—Aurélien Tchouaméni held firm until his side took the lead. After that, the game became more balanced, and he showcased his quality with some vital defensive plays.
Raúl Asensio (5)
Playing on the right side of defence, which is not his natural position, young Raúl Asensio gave his all. Always solid at the back, he displayed aggression in his challenges. However, he eventually picked up a yellow card, which limited his approach. Insulted by the Basque crowd, he was substituted at half-time for Lucas Vázquez to prevent further disciplinary issues.
Eduardo Camavinga (6)
A difficult first half for the French midfielder. Playing as a No.6 in place of Tchouaméni, Camavinga put his team under pressure with some erratic passing. Under intense pressing, he made some poor decisions that could have led to Basque goals. However, after the break, the former Rennes player improved and made better choices, contributing well to the team’s control of the game. A performance of two halves.
Dani Ceballos (7)
Another high-level match from Dani Ceballos. Now an essential part of the team, the 28-year-old Spanish international shone on Wednesday. Accurate in his passing and hardworking in defence, Ceballos, who is expected to be offered a contract extension at the end of the season, once again proved his worth. A very strong performance.
Jude Bellingham (7)
The English midfielder delivered another solid performance. After missing the 25th round of La Liga against Girona due to suspension, Jude Bellingham made his presence felt on Wednesday. Although he lacked precision at times, the former Borussia Dortmund star recovered many balls and posed a significant attacking threat. He provided the assist for the opening goal and created several other opportunities. A good display from the young Englishman.
Arda Güler (6)
Much anticipated by fans, Arda Güler was given ample playing time on Wednesday. Deployed in attack by Carlo Ancelotti, the Turkish player tried to make an impact, notably with an early shot. Though less visible as the match progressed, Güler contributed to the team’s build-up play and helped defensively, as required by Ancelotti.
Vinícius Júnior (7)
Captaining Real Madrid for the first time in his career, Vinícius did not disappoint. Using his speed and dribbling, he tried to unsettle Sociedad’s defence. On several occasions, he attempted shots on goal. Regarding his role as captain in the first half, Vini handled it well, alerting the referee to offensive chants against Raúl Asensio late in the first period. This led to a brief suspension of the match. A good performance!
Endrick (8)
Despite limited La Liga game time, Endrick once again showed he can contribute significantly to Real Madrid. A true No.9, the young Brazilian forward wasted no time making an impact. Perfectly played through in the 19th minute, he did what a striker should—controlling well before finishing past the Sociedad goalkeeper. In the second half, he nearly doubled his tally with a powerful shot that struck the crossbar. A fantastic match from the 18-year-old, who now has four goals in four Copa del Rey games.
Lucas Vázquez (6)
Coming on at half-time, the right-back had some tough defensive moments. However, when he needed to push forward, the 33-year-old captain was up to the task.
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