Real Madrid threw away a two-goal lead but eventually triumphed 5-2 after extra time against Celta Vigo Thursday to reach the Copa del Rey quarter-finals, with youngster Endrick netting twice.
On the back of a humiliating 5-2 Clasico defeat of their own by Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup last weekend, Real seemed to be heading for a relatively serene triumph before two late Celta goals forced extra-time.
Real players and coach Carlo Ancelotti faced whistles when they walked out after the defeat in Saudi Arabia and it was harder than expected for them to book a place in Monday’s draw for the last eight.
Kylian Mbappe scored a brilliant opener before the break, although Celta complained vigorously over what seemed a sure penalty in Real’s area moments beforehand.
Vinicius netted early in the second half to help Real take control, but Jonathan Bamba’s late goal gave Celta hope in the final stages.
Marcos Alonso stroked home from the penalty spot after Bamba was fouled in stoppage time to force extra-time.
Teenager Endrick put Real ahead again, Fede Valverde powered home the fourth and Endrick struck once more with a clever backheel to wrap up the win, which was entertaining but did little to ease concerns over their defensive frailties.
One of the few positives Real took from the Super Cup defeat was Mbappe’s goal and performance in Jeddah.
The former Paris Saint-Germain star looked back to his best and again impressed for Real after a shaky start to life in the Spanish capital.
Mbappe took the opening goal brilliantly, although it was mired in controversy after Real goalkeeper Andriy Lunin appeared to bring down Williot Swedberg in the area.
The referee gave nothing and Real countered, with Mbappe zipping past a defender and finishing with aplomb.
Celta hoped Video Assistant Referee would instruct the referee to view the penalty claim again but no such instruction followed and Mbappe’s goal stood.
Vinicius added Real’s second goal early in the second half with a cool finish after Mbappe and then Brahim Diaz combined to set him up.
Celta opened up in search of a way back in and Real created several more clear chances.
Mbappe headed over from close range from Diaz’s cross as Los Blancos found their flow, without being able to add to the lead.
Carl Starfelt cleared off the line for Celta after Vinicius lobbbed goalkeeper Ivan Villar in search of the third.
At the other end Lunin tipped over a long range effort from Hugo Sotelo to keep the Galicians at bay.
Real substitute Arda Guler stroked home for the hosts but the goal was disallowed for offside against Vinicius in the build up.
Celta pulled one back in the 83rd minute after Eduardo Camavinga foolishly gave the ball away on the edge of his area and Bamba struck to create a tense finale.
The visitors got their reward when Raul Asencio clumsily bundled down Bamba in the area and Alonso dispatched the penalty into the bottom right corner to take the game to extra-time.
Real’s 18-year old Brazilian striker Endrick, hungry for opportunities, blasted home from the edge of the box to put his side ahead after 108 minutes.
Valverde slammed an unstoppable effort from 25 yards out past the helpless dive of Villar to extend Real’s advantage.
Endrick wrapped up the Spanish and European champions’ triumph with an improvised backheel finish from close range.
Earlier Osasuna knocked out cup holders Athletic Bilbao with an entertaining 3-2 win at San Mames, while Real Sociedad ousted Rayo Vallecano with a 3-1 victory.
Barca and Atletico Madrid secured progress to the last eight Wednesday.
RESULTS
Athletic Club 2 (Nico 45+3, De Marcos 55) Osasuna 3 (Oroz 40, Budimir 44-P, 70)
Sociedad 3 (Oyarzabal 23, Olasagasti 45+1, Gomez 79) Vallecano 1 (Trejo 45+7-P)
Real Madrid 5 (Mbappe 37, Vinicius 48, Endrick 108, 119, Valverde 112) Celta 2 (Bamba 83, Alonso 90+1-P)
