In an exhilarating match at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium, Real Madrid triumphed over Celta Vigo with a 5-2 victory in the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey.
This win was crucial for Madrid, especially after their recent 5-2 defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final.
The match showcased the resilience of Carlo Ancelotti’s team, who needed two goals from Endrick in extra time to secure their place in the quarterfinals.
Initially, Madrid appeared to be in control, leading 2-0 thanks to goals from Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior.
Mbappé opened the scoring in the 37th minute, expertly maneuvering past defenders before delivering a precise left-footed shot.
Shortly after, Vinícius extended the lead with a breakaway goal in the 48th minute.
However, Celta Vigo fought back fiercely.
In the 83rd minute, Jonathan Bamba capitalized on a mistake by Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga, narrowing the gap.
Just when it seemed Madrid would hold on, Marcos Alonso equalized in stoppage time with a penalty kick, sending the match into extra time.
Endrick’s Moment of Glory
The turning point came in extra time when Endrick, who had entered the match in the 79th minute, scored a stunning goal from outside the area in the 108th minute.
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He followed this with another goal in the 119th, sealing the victory after Federico Valverde had added to the lead just moments earlier.
This victory not only boosts Madrid’s confidence but also keeps them in the race for the top of the Spanish league, where they aim to keep pace with Atletico Madrid.
Looking ahead, Madrid will face Las Palmas in the league on Sunday and Salzburg in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Defending Champions Ousted
In another surprising turn of events, defending champions Athletic Bilbao were eliminated from the tournament after a thrilling match against Osasuna.
Despite rallying from a two-goal deficit, Athletic ultimately fell 3-2 at home.
Goals from Nico Williams and Óscar de Marcos brought Athletic level after Osasuna’s early strikes by Aimar Oroz and Ante Budimir.
However, Budimir clinched the victory for Osasuna in the 70th minute, marking a significant upset as they advanced in the tournament.
As the Copa del Rey progresses, Real Madrid’s dramatic victory and Athletic Bilbao’s unexpected exit highlight the unpredictable nature of soccer.
Fans eagerly await the next matches, where teams will battle for glory and redemption.
