Vinicius Junior steers Real Madrid to Copa del Rey edge

The breakthrough came courtesy of young star Endrick, who fired home the only goal of the night in San Sebastian.

Reflecting on the armband honour, Vinicius said, "It's so special, after being here for so long and competing for this team for four years. It's a huge source of pride for me and all my family, after all we've been through to get here.

"It was already a lot to ask to make it to the club of my dreams, but to keep living the dream like this is unbelievable. I hope this can continue for a long time yet."

He added, "It's pretty unique because you never imagine this will happen to you. I'm pleased with the team's performance and to have had the chance to captain the biggest team in the world in a Copa semi-final. It's hard to put into words, I can't explain it. It's a big win at a very difficult place to come. We played really well and defended just as the coach instructed us to.

"Endrick scored a fantastic goal. We're finding our best form at the right moment in the season, when the big games come - the ones we love playing in. I hope we can win as many trophies as possible by the end."

The match itself was a tense affair. Real Madrid, resting key names like Thibaut Courtois, Federico Valverde, and Kylian Mbappe, struggled to find their rhythm early on.

Real Sociedad looked to capitalise, with Takefusa Kubo - once a Madrid youngster - testing Andriy Lunin with a fierce near-post strike after linking up with Brais Méndez.

However, the hosts couldn't convert their pressure, and Los Blancos made them pay. Jude Bellingham's inch-perfect long pass found Endrick, who controlled superbly and drilled a low shot past Álex Remiro with the outside of his boot - his fourth Copa goal this campaign.

Sociedad refused to fold. Mendez and Mikel Oyarzabal forced Lunin into smart stops, but Madrid's counter-attacking threat loomed large. Vinicius nearly doubled the lead after Bellingham's clever through ball, only for Remiro to thwart him with a stunning save.

Before half-time, Ander Barrenetxea drew another fine stop from Lunin, though the break was delayed as the referee halted play due to offensive chants from the crowd.

The second half brought chances at both ends. Oyarzabal's close-range header was snuffed out by Lunin, while Endrick rattled the crossbar with a venomous strike.

Substitute Lucas Vazquez, on at the break, went close too, but Sociedad's fight faded as the game wore on. Remiro's late reflex save denied Bellingham after a deflected effort, ensuring the deficit stayed at one - a lifeline for the hosts ahead of the Bernabeu return leg, where they famously triumphed in their 2019/20 Copa-winning run.

Madrid, now unbeaten in seven across all competitions, hold the upper hand in their chase for a 21st Copa crown. Meanwhile, a recent X update from the club hailed Vinicius' leadership, with Carlo Ancelotti praising his "maturity and passion" in the role - a nod to his growing stature as the tie hangs in the balance.

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