Real Madrid Edges Real Sociedad Amid Controversy in Copa del Rey Semi-Final
Real Madrid claimed a 1-0 victory over Real Sociedad at the Reale Arena in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final, but the match was marred by a troubling incident involving defender Raúl Asencio.
The decisive goal came in the 19th minute when 18-year-old Brazilian sensation Endrick finished off a well-executed counter-attack. Captain-for-the-night Vinícius Júnior regained possession and passed to Jude Bellingham, who delivered a pinpoint long ball to Endrick. The young forward controlled it skillfully before slotting past goalkeeper Álex Remiro, continuing his impressive run in the tournament.
However, just before halftime, the match took a distressing turn when sections of the home crowd directed offensive chants at Asencio, reportedly shouting “Asencio, muérete” (“Asencio, die”) following a foul he committed on Ander Barrenetxea. In response, Vinícius Júnior immediately alerted referee José María Sánchez Martínez, prompting a temporary halt under the anti-hatred protocol. A stadium announcement and a message on the screen condemned discriminatory behavior before play resumed.
At halftime, Carlo Ancelotti decided to substitute Asencio, citing both his emotional state and an earlier yellow card as reasons for the change. “It was important to protect him. He was clearly affected by the situation,” Ancelotti explained.
The incident has sparked widespread condemnation from the football community, with LaLiga expected to launch an investigation. Real Sociedad could face disciplinary action for their supporters’ behavior, highlighting the ongoing struggle to eliminate hate speech from the sport.
On the pitch, Real Madrid’s win gives them a crucial edge ahead of the second leg on April 1 at the Santiago Bernabéu, where they will look to secure their place in the final while also addressing the broader issues raised by this unfortunate episode.
