Endrick hands Real Madrid narrow lead over Real Sociedad in Copa del Rey semi-finals | OneFootball

Los Blancos head back to the Bernabeu with clear advantage as returning Jude Bellingham proves influential

Decisive: Jude Bellingham set up Endrick for what proved to be the winning goal for Real Madrid against Real Sociedad

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Real Madrid will take a narrow 1-0 lead into their Copa del Rey semi-final decider against Real Sociedad thanks to Endrick’s early first-leg goal.

England midfielder Bellingham was an influential figure for a Madrid team missing top scorer Kylian Mbappe following a dental issue, delivering an impressive display as he returned to the starting XI amid a two-match LaLiga ban that will also see him miss Saturday’s trip to Real Betis.

It was a bright start from Sociedad as they looked to continue a fine run of form under Imanol Alguacil that had seen them win five of their last six matches across all competitions, with Lunin alert again to keep out a flick from a corner after Aihen Munoz had also tried his luck in the opening exchanges.

Bellingham steered a difficult header from a corner wide at the near post, with Madrid mostly struggling to escape their own half despite seeing plenty of possession.

That was until Endrick struck what would prove to be the only goal of the game, taking a great touch off the thigh before finishing confidently low past Alex Remiro after superb vision to pick out the 18-year-old by Bellingham.

Sociedad responded well to going behind and Lunin parried an effort from Brais Mendez before also saving from Munoz.

Remiro was at full stretch to push stand-in captain Vinicius Jr’s rolled low finish beyond the far post after another assist from Bellingham, with Aurelien Tchouameni then heading the resulting corner the wrong side of the post.

Multiple soft penalty appeals for both sides were waved away before Tchouameni made a vital last-ditch clearance as Sociedad captain Mikel Oyarzabal tried to finish off a low ball from the byline from Ander Barrenetxea before then also lashing high into the stands.

A lively finish to the first half saw Barrenetxea cut in off the left flank and force Lunin to tip over his fierce drive, but the action was then overshadowed by chants from some home fans that forced the game to be temporarily delayed and a warning message flash up on the screen.

Lunin was called into action again straight after the interval, keeping out Oyarzabal’s header and then a follow-up strike from Kubo. Endrick came the closest to a second goal, cannoning a powerful drive off the crossbar with Remiro beaten.

Vinicius Jr was beginning to cause Sociedad a number of problems and a flurry of further penalty claims were dismissed.

Lucas Vazquez - brought on at half-time for Raul Asencio - darted in from the right and miscued an effort high and wide, while Lunin made sure a low shot from Munoz went behind.

Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga made two important interceptions inside the Madrid box before the energetic Kubo fired off target.

A stylish flick from Tchouameni set up Bellingham, whose low strike deflected heavily off Igor Zubeldia before being diverted around the post by Remiro, who minutes later touched a Bellingham strike over the crossbar.

Tchouameni headed wide again from a Rodrygo corner before Sociedad finished the match in the ascendancy after Dani Ceballos limped off injured in stoppage time, seeing one final penalty claim ignored after a risky-looking challenge from substitute Ferland Mendy on Kubo, with the home players surrounding the officials after the full-time whistle.