A late flurry from Endrick helped Real Madrid to a 5-2 win against Celta Vigo on Thursday night as Carlo Ancelotti's side cruised into the Copa del Rey quarter-finals after extra time.
Fresh from Sunday's punishing defeat in the Spanish Super Cup in Barcelona, Madrid headed into the midweek cup tie injured. The capital club struck first, taking the lead at half-time with a stunning individual goal from Kylian Mbappe, who continues to improve with each white outing.
Vinicius Junior doubled Madrid's lead within three minutes of the restart, ending with a powerful drive forward that involved all three members of Madrid's attacking trio. However, Celta Vigo would not go down without a fight.
Jonathan Bamba equalized for the visitors in the 83rd minute as Pablo Duran pounced on Eduardo Camavinga's sloppy touch on the edge of his own box to slot home for his substitute. Bamba then won a penalty for Celta, toeing the ball past Raul Asencio, who collided with the Ivory Coast international.
Former Barcelona full-back Marcos Alonso, whose grandfather Marquitos was a five-time European Cup winner with Madrid, coolly converted to force extra time.
With a penalty in sight, Endrick electrified the Bernabeu with a thunderous move. The much-maligned Brazilian has been constantly related to a departure and offered precious few minutes from Ancelotti but dug his under-pressure manager out of the hole with a late goal on Thursday night.
Fede Valverde, an undisputed one Ancelotti the favourites, confirmed Madrid's passage to the quarter-finals before Endrick grabbed his second of the evening with a cheeky strike. Madrid could face Barcelona in the next round but will not face defending cup champions Athletic Club, who were knocked out on Thursday.
|
Player |
ASSESSMENT |
|---|---|
|
GC: Andriy Lunin |
6.9/10 |
|
RB: Lucas Vazquez |
7.6/10 |
|
CB: Raul Asencio |
6.7/10 |
|
CB: Antonio Rudiger |
7.3/10 |
|
LB: Francis Garcia |
7.5/10 |
|
CM: Luka Modric |
8.2/10 |
|
CM: Aurelien Tchouameni |
8.8/10 |
|
CM: Dani Ceballos |
8.0/10 |
|
RW: Brahim Diaz |
8.1/10 |
|
ST: Kylian Mbappe |
8.3/10 |
|
LW: Vinicius Junior |
8.0/10 |
|
UNDER: Eduardo Camavinga (70' for Ceballos) |
5.8/10 |
|
UNDER: Arda Guler (70' for Diaz) |
8.2/10 |
|
UNDER: Fede Valverde (79' for Modric) |
8.0/10 |
|
UNDER: Endrick (79' for Mbappe) |
8.7/10 |
|
UNDER: Jude Bellingham (90' for Garcia) |
6.3/10 |
|
UNDER: Rodrygo (106' for Vinicius) |
6.0/10 |