It was a rollercoaster night at the Santiago Bernabéu as Real Madrid edged past Celta Vigo in a nervy Copa del Rey clash, eventually triumphing 5-2 after extra time. At the heart of the chaos? None other than 18-year-old sensation Endrick, who scored twice in extra time to seal a dramatic victory.
For 80 minutes, Los Blancos looked poised for a routine win. Then, 10 minutes of complacency let Celta Vigo claw back, setting up a tense finale that could have gone either way. But when it mattered most, Madrid’s young Brazilian stepped up to deliver a performance that screamed future superstar.
Here’s how it all unfolded—and how each Real Madrid player fared on a night that will be remembered for Endrick’s brilliance.
First Half: Mbappé Magic
Madrid struggled to find their rhythm early on, but Kylian Mbappé decided to take matters into his own hands. The Frenchman scored a brilliant solo goal in the 37th minute, cutting in from the left and finishing clinically to give the home side a deserved lead.
Brahim Diaz, handed a rare start, was a livewire down the right flank. His pace and creativity forced a fine save from Celta’s Ivan Villar, and he later set up Vinícius Jr. for Madrid’s second goal shortly after the break.
Second Half: Complacency Creeps In
Madrid’s second goal showcased their lethal counter-attacking ability. Mbappé released Brahim, who slipped a perfect pass to Vinícius, allowing the Brazilian to finish coolly. At 2-0, it seemed like a comfortable evening for Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
But football rarely follows the script. Eduardo Camavinga, brought on as a substitute, misjudged a backpass, gifting Celta an opening. Jonathan Bamba capitalized to make it 2-1. Then, in stoppage time, Raul Asencio conceded a needless penalty, allowing Marcos Alonso to level the score from the spot.
Suddenly, Madrid found themselves heading into extra time, and the Bernabéu crowd was restless.
Extra Time: Enter Endrick
Madrid looked shaky as extra time began, but Endrick had other plans. The teenage prodigy, who had struggled to make an impact earlier, announced himself in style. His first goal was a beauty—turning sharply on the edge of the box before unleashing a rocket into the far corner.
Federico Valverde then delivered a moment of magic, hammering in a long-range strike to make it 4-2. And just when Celta thought the worst was over, Endrick added a touch of audacity, backheeling Madrid’s fifth to cap off a stunning individual display.
Player Ratings: Who Stood Out?
Goalkeeper & Defence
Andriy Lunin (5/10): Escaped punishment for a clumsy first-half challenge. Made some decent saves but was helpless on the penalty.
Lucas Vázquez (7/10): Solid in possession and dependable defensively. Not at fault for Madrid’s shaky moments.
Raul Asencio (6/10): Strong in aerial duels but undid his good work with a silly penalty concession.
Antonio Rüdiger (6/10): Mixed night—dominant at times but occasionally shaky under pressure.
Fran García (7/10): Tireless on the left flank, contributing at both ends of the pitch.
Midfield
Aurélien Tchouaméni (6/10): Comfortable in his natural position but lacked forward thrust.
Dani Ceballos (7/10): Calm and composed, with a key assist for Mbappé’s opener. Left with a knock.
Luka Modrić (7/10): The maestro never ages. Dictated play with his usual elegance and vision.
Attack
Brahim Diaz (7/10): Lively and inventive. His assist for Vinícius was a highlight of the night.
Kylian Mbappé (7/10): Scored a brilliant goal and created chances but missed opportunities to kill the game earlier.
Vinícius Jr. (7/10): Took his goal well but was wasteful with other chances. Showed flashes of brilliance.
Substitutes
Arda Güler (7/10): Thought he had scored a third, only to be denied by an offside call.
Eduardo Camavinga (4/10): A costly mistake nearly derailed Madrid’s night.
Federico Valverde (8/10): Injected energy and delivered a world-class goal.
Endrick (9/10): The hero of the night. Two goals, including a stunning winner, announced his arrival on the big stage.
Rodrygo (N/A): Energetic cameo in the dying minutes.
Manager
Carlo Ancelotti (6/10): Got his tactics right for most of the match but will be frustrated by the team’s lapse in concentration.
The Verdict
This wasn’t Real Madrid’s finest performance, but it was a night to remember for Endrick. The teenager’s heroics ensured Los Blancos avoided an embarrassing exit and showcased why he’s regarded as one of the brightest talents in world football.
For Ancelotti, there’s plenty to work on, but Madrid’s ability to produce moments of brilliance when it matters most remains their greatest strength.
Final scoreline aside, the story of the night was Endrick—a young star who might just be the next big thing in Madrid’s storied history.
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