Real Madrid win marred by more racism directed towards Vinicius Junior

Real Sociedad defeated Real Madrid 1-0 in a Copa del Rey semifinal first-leg encounter marred by further racist abuse of Brazilian international Vinicius Junior.

Endrick, a fellow Brazilian forward, scored the only goal of the match in San Sebastian, Spain’s northern province, in the first half.

However, there was a controversy just before half-time when Raul Asencio was chanting “Asencio die” during the pause.

A Real Sociedad fan who appeared to make monkey gestures toward Vinicius Junior while the game was being stopped later made a video public.

Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid spoke to referee, Jose Maria Sanchez Martinez, in front of Real Sociedad fans before the game was temporarily halted]David Ramos/Getty Images]

Fans have aimed the chant at 22-year-old centre-back, Asencio, at various stadiums in recent weeks, but this was the first time the match has been stopped.

A Spanish court is looking into Asencio’s alleged sharing of a sexually explicit video of a minor by two ex-Real Madrid youth players.

Just before half-time, Vinicius reported the chants to the referee for Asencio.

“Vinicius spoke to the referee, the referee stopped the game, he applied the protocol, that was what had to happen”, Real Madrid coach Ancelotti told reporters.

At halftime, Lucas Vazquez was replaced by the coach. “I took him]Vinicius Jr] off because of two things, he was affected, and he had a yellow card, so I preferred to take him off”, explained Ancelotti.

Nobody wants that a stadium yells “you must die.” In that way, I believe, he was affected. I preferred to take him off because it might have an impact on how he felt.

Real Sociedad forward Mikel Oyarzabal added: “The insults should be condemned, we don’t like them … there are other ways to condemn the actions that others may have committed. We don’t think this is the right way”.

SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 26: The LED board states — Real Sociedad’s LED board stated, ‘ No to racist, xenophobic and intolerant chants. Encourage and support the team while respecting the rival, ‘ following an incident involving Vinicius Junior]not pictured] and fans in the first half]David Ramos/Getty Images]

Vinicius was quickly the subject of racist abuse, and Sociedad posted a message on the big screen inside the stadium saying “No to racist, xenophobic, and intolerant chants.” Due to the delay, the image was quickly recirculating online. Respect the rival while encouraging and supporting the team.

In Spanish football, Vinicius has long been the target of racist abuse. Four people were detained and interrogated in Spain in October on suspicion of carrying out an online hate campaign against the 24-year-old.

Three Valencia fans received sentences of eight months in prison each for hate crimes committed against the player in June of last year. The first racist insults to be found in a Spanish football stadium marked a landmark case.

On April 1, Sociedad will face off against Barcelona or Atletico Madrid in the final at their Santiago Bernabeu stadium in the second leg.

Endrick’s 19th-minute strike, finishing with the outside of his boot after racing on to Jude Bellingham’s diagonal ball, was enough to claim the first tie.

After suffering from a dental issue, Real Madrid were without Frenchman Kylian Mbappe, as well as Fede Valverde and Thibaut Courtois.

With seven changes in total from Sunday’s 2-0 victory over Girona, Ancelotti made the decision to change his side further ahead of the visit to Real Betis in LaLiga on Saturday and the Champions League last 16 match against Atletico Madrid on Sunday.

Soccer Football - Copa del Rey - Semi Final - First Leg - Real Sociedad v Real Madrid - Reale Arena, San Sebastian, Spain - February 26, 2025 Real Madrid's Endrick scores their first goal REUTERS/Vincent West — Real Madrid’s Endrick scored the only goal of the game]Vincent West/Reuters]

Despite his many replacements, including starts for Arda Guler, Fran Garcia and Eduardo Camavinga, Madrid put on a solid showing.

When Bellingham fired the 18-year-old attacker in on goal, Endrick gave Los Blancos the lead.

Endrick stroked home stylishly with his second stroke shortly after taking one more control.

His sixth campaign goal came from the Copa del Rey, where Ancelotti has given him the best chance to shine.

Bellingham, who missed Madrid’s win at the weekend through suspension, looked refreshed and helped his side stay largely on top.

Referee Jose Maria Sanchez Martinez, left, Real Madrid's head coach Carlo Ancelotti, centre, Real Sociedad's head coach Imanol Alguacil, right, talk during the Spanish Copa del Rey soccer match between Real Sociedad and Real Madrid at the Reale Arena in San Sebastian, Spain, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Miguel Oses) — Referee Jose Maria Sanchez Martinez, left, Real Madrid’s head coach Carlo Ancelotti, centre, Real Sociedad’s head coach Imanol Alguacil, right, spoke immediately after the incident reported by Vinicius Junior]Miguel Oses/AP]

Alex Remiro tipped Vinicius’ low shot to safety, which came close. In the opening minutes of the second half, Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin made a superb double save to keep Takefusa Kubo and Mikel Oyarzabal at bay.

Endrick hit the crossbar from the edge of the box to give Madrid a second lead at the other end.

Remiro’s excellent save kept Real Sociedad’s hopes of a second-leg comeback alive as it pushed away Bellingham’s deflected strike and another to thwart the same player from long range in the closing stages.