Pushed into overtime on its Santiago Bernabéu pitch by Celta Vigo, Real Madrid ended up qualifying painfully on Thursday for the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey (5-2) thanks to late goals from Endrick and Valverde.
Coming into play in the second period, the 18-year-old Brazilian striker, author of a quick double (108th, 120th), and the Uruguayan midfielder, who widened the gap with a powerful half-volley (113th), allowed the Madrilenians to win and avoid a second disappointment, four days after the debacle in the final of the Spanish Super Cup against FC Barcelona (5-2).
Yet well launched by an inspired Kylian Mbappé, Real, who led by two goals ten minutes from the end of regulation time, were caught rather logically in a very poorly managed end of the match.
The French striker, author of his 15th goal of the season in all competitions, opened the scoring in the first half with a left-footed cross strike at the end of a solo rush (37th, 1-0) then that the Celta players demanded a possible penalty at the start of the action, then launched Brahim Diaz perfectly on Vinicius Junior’s break goal (48th, 2-0).
But former Lille player Jonathan Bamba completely revived his team by taking advantage of a poorly handled back pass by Eduardo Camavinga (83rd), and caused a penalty converted by Spanish full-back Marcos Alonso (91st).
Earlier in the evening, Athletic Bilbao, defending champion, was eliminated by its Basque neighbor Osasuna (3-2) and Real Sociedad qualified without trembling against Rayo Vallecano (3-1).
