Real Madrid face Real Sociedad in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final tie at the Reale Arena tonight. Los Blancos make the trip to the Basque Country without Kylian Mbappe, who is being rested after a dental issue along with the likes of Thibaut Courtois and Federico Valverde. But Carlo Ancelotti still boasts a strong squad with Jude Bellingham back and Vinicius Jr captain as Arda Guler and Endrick also start.

The second of these semi-final openers will have to be extraordinary to match the drama witnessed on Tuesday evening, when Barcelona and Atletico played out a thrilling 4-4 draw. Real Madrid head into this game having corrected a recent domestic slump with Sunday’s 2-0 home win over Girona, but are likely to face a stern test against a Sociedad team in fine form under Imanol Alguacil - especially in front of their own fans at Anoeta, having brushed aside Leganes at the weekend.

Madrid are 20-time winners of the Copa del Rey having last lifted the trophy in 2023, while Sociedad, who have Nayef Aguerd fit after an injury scare, were successful in 2020 after beating rivals Athletic Club in the final. Follow Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid live below!

22:33 , George Flood

All over at Anoeta, where Endrick’s 19th-minute strike set up nicely by the returning Jude Bellingham hands Real Madrid the advantage in this two-legged Copa del Rey semi-final tie.

Back to the Bernabeu on April 1 for the return clash.

Not an impossible task for Sociedad, but Los Blancos will obviously be massive favourites.

22:31 , George Flood

It was Mendy’s challenge on Kubo there that Sociedad thought should have resulted in a last-gasp penalty.

It looked on replay like the French defender just pulled out of the tackle at the last moment.

A free-kick to Madrid is going to bring an end to proceedings, with Sociedad’s players surrounding the referee.

22:29 , George Flood

Madrid are going to finish with 10 men here with Ceballos in no shape to return.

A big penalty appeal with Sociedad attacking in the dying seconds, but play is waved on.

22:28 , George Flood

Ceballos is limping off in stoppage time in some discomfort after stretching very awkwardly.

The referee signals that the time will be added on.

Madrid defending with 10 men now as things stand in the final moments.

22:26 , George Flood

Four minutes of added time have been signalled.

Can Sociedad strike back at the death to level the tie?

Heading to the Bernabeu for the second leg at the start of April with any sort of deficit feels like a very tall order indeed.

22:25

No shortage of effort and endeavour throughout tonight from Sociedad, but the quality on the final ball has been sorely lacking for the most part.

Another promising attack fizzles out in disappointing fashion.

22:24 , George Flood

Madrid try to pose a late threat inside that right channel, with Rodrygo’s corner steered wide off the head of Tchouameni.

22:23 , George Flood

Ferland Mendy is coming on for the final couple of minutes for Madrid.

Fellow Frenchman Camavinga heads off.

22:22 , George Flood

Openings at both ends as we tick down towards the end of the 90, with Bellingham given acres of space for a decent drive that is tipped over by Remiro.

22:21 , George Flood

It’s getting a bit physical out there late on and Vazquez has his name taken for a foul.

22:18 , George Flood

Panic stations inside that Sociedad six-yard box from the resulting corner, but the flag is up as Rudiger strikes.

Brahim Diaz and Rodrygo are being sent on by Ancelotti.

Vinicius Jr and Arda Guler are heading off.

22:17 , George Flood

A neat flick from Tchouameni finds Bellingham, whose low drive deflects off Zubeldia before being turned around the post well by Remiro.

22:15 , George Flood

A Sociedad free-kick into the box comes to nothing as we head into the final 10 minutes.

Is there a late twist to come in this first-leg tie?

22:13

Two more changes from Sociedad now, one in defence and the other up top.

Aritz Elustondo and Orri Oskarsson replace Aguerd and Oyarzabal.

22:10 , George Flood

Madrid can’t threaten from another corner from the right-hand side as Sociedad easily clear their lines.

Approaching the final 15 minutes at Anoeta and Endrick’s early goal is still the difference in this Copa del Rey semi-final first leg.

22:06 , George Flood

A bit of an uncertain clearance there from Tchouameni inside the six-yard box as he throws out a leg to meet Kubo’s cross from the byline.

David Alaba is coming on for Madrid now, replacing goalscorer Endrick.

A change in shape from Ancelotti in a bid to shore up his backline.

22:04

More pressure from Sociedad approaching the final 20 minutes at Anoeta, but there are two important interventions from Tchouameni and Camavinga inside the box before Kubo fires off target.

22:02 , George Flood

Too many tricks and flicks from Brais Mendez is frustrating for Sociedad, as is the lack of an effective final ball there from Oyarzabal after the captain had made his way into the Madrid box.

22:00 , George Flood

Lunin punches away a corner after getting his hand to a low Munoz drive that looked to be heading wide.

Sociedad have sent on Sheraldo Becker and Pablo Marin in search of an equaliser.

Sucic and Barrenetxea make way.

21:58 , George Flood

Vazquez - who has taken over captaincy duties from Vinicius Jr for Madrid - darts in from the right and beats his man inside the box, only to miscue an effort high and wide.

21:55 , George Flood

Vinicius Jr is causing Sociedad a number of problems so far in this second half, though they are managing to block his efforts on goal.

That’s a better penalty shout as Vazquez’s cross smacks into the arm of I think Aguerd, but there’s nothing given.

21:52

Kubo’s cross from the byline hits Camavinga, the hosts are claiming on the hand but there’s no penalty.

At the other end, another strike from Vinicius Jr is held by Remiro.

21:46

A rocket of a left-footed effort from Endrick cannons up off the crossbar!

Madrid with a new lease of life now as Vinicius Jr’s effort is blocked behind for a corner.

A lively start to the second period in San Sebastian.

21:45

Two good reaction stops in quick succession from Lunin early in this second half, first keeping out Oyarzabal’s header and then a follow-up strike from Kubo.

A couple of Madrid corners then come to nothing.

21:41 , George Flood

Back underway at Anoeta.

Asencio has gone off at the break, with Lucas Vazquez on for Real Madrid.

No other changes.

21:40 , George Flood

Still not entirely clear what happened there with those chants at the end of the first half that caused the game to be briefly held up.

Some have reported chants against Vinicius Jr, others against Raul Asencio.

21:24 , George Flood

Endrick’s 19th-minute goal teed up wonderfully by the returning Jude Bellingham separates the sides at the interval, though Sociedad have had their chances - most notably through Takefusa Kubo and Ander Barrenetxea.

A decent first half overshadowed by chants from a section of the home support that caused the game to be delayed.

We’ll bring you all the latest news on that as we get it.

21:21

The game is back underway and Brais Mendez goes down under little contact inside the box.

No penalty.

21:20 , George Flood

A message to home fans has flashed up on the screen.

Commentators are reporting that Vinicius Jr has been subject to abuse from the stands, but that’s unconfirmed at the moment.

Others on social media are saying there were chants aimed at Raul Asencio.

21:19 , George Flood

Vinicius Jr is unhappy with something here and has told the referee, with a delay now in the game.

Not quite sure what has happened.

21:16 , George Flood

Three minutes of added time signalled at the end of an enjoyable first half.

Sociedad with the chance to deliver a free-kick into the box from a dangerous area on the left flank after Barrenetxea is cut down by Asencio, who receives the first yellow card of the night.

21:14 , George Flood

Madrid’s corner comes to nothing despite a sustained bout of pressure as Remiro gratefully claims.

Sociedad counter, with Barrenetxea cutting in off the left and running at Asencio before his powerful drive is tipped over by Lunin.

21:12 , George Flood

Madrid are persistently attacking down the left-hand side, Vinicius Jr and Fran Garcia both trying their luck before the latter is pulled down by Aramburu as he gets to the byline.

Ceballos tries to find Asencio’s flick with a daisy-cutter to the front post, but it goes behind.

Sociedad incensed as Madrid are awarded a corner.

21:08 , George Flood

That’s an important last-gasp clearance from Tchouameni inside the Madrid six-yard box as Oyarzabal looked to connect with Barrenetxea’s low ball from the byline.

Madrid can’t quite clear the subsequent corner as Oyarzabal lashes high into the stands.

21:07 , George Flood

Plenty of collisions out there and appeals being waved away by the referee, Vinicius Jr going down too easy after clashing with Aramburu inside the box.

Rudiger is now receiving some treatment for Madrid.

21:04 , George Flood

18-year-old Brazilian sensation Endrick’s sixth goal for Real Madrid so far.

And what an assist for Bellingham...

21:02 , George Flood

An injury scare for Real Madrid as Fran Garcia pulls up and then goes down in need of treatment.

The left-back is now back to his feet, but that’s definitely something to monitor.

21:00 , George Flood

Another warning for Sociedad as Tchouameni heads off target from the corner after stand-in skipper Vinicius Jr is denied.

20:59 , George Flood

Bellingham heavily involved for Madrid here, laying off for Vinicius Jr whose low effort is tipped wide by a diving Remiro.

Sociedad thought the England midfielder should have been in trouble for an alleged elbow on Aramburu.

20:57

Vinicius Jr in the wars after a kick from Brais Mendez, who thinks little of his reaction.

Sociedad with two more chances, Munoz trying his luck before another comfortable stop from Lunin.

20:53

Real Sociedad have responded well to going behind and Lunin beats away an effort from Brais Mendez.

20:49 , George Flood

Real Madrid take the lead in this semi-final tie!

A lovely lofted pass from Bellingham to release Endrick, who takes a wonderful first touch off the thigh before finishing confidently low with the outside of his left boot.

20:48 , George Flood

The whistling home fans are unhappy as a strong challenge ends their latest attack and tees up a dangerous Real Madrid counter that is eventually snuffed out.

It’s counter after counter as Sociedad now hurtle back forward, but no chance is fashioned.

A bit chaotic at the moment, all quite frantic with a shortage of quality.

20:46 , George Flood

A couple of iffy touches at the back from Madrid with all this harmless possession inside their own half, the latest from Rudiger.

Zubimendi looks to catch out Bellingham to launch a Sociedad counter-attack in a dangerous area, but the whistle has gone for a push.

Sociedad doing such a good job of penning Los Blancos back deep inside their own half.

20:44 , George Flood

: Plenty of possession for Madrid at the moment but they are struggling to beat the high press from Sociedad.

Determined stuff from the hosts, who are hunting in packs and full of energy.

20:39

Madrid are settling into this tie now as they earn a corner on the near side that Bellingham fights to meet at the near post, but he steers a tough header wide.

20:38 , George Flood

Madrid come forward and escape their own half for almost the first time tonight, but they fail to trouble Alex Remiro in the Sociedad goal.

The hosts wanted a penalty for Rudiger’s challenge on Kubo, but he went down too easily and the appeals were waved away.

20:35 , George Flood

Madrid have yet to get going here as the first real chance of the night falls to ex-Los Blancos starlet Kubo, who plays a neat one-two with Brais Mendez inside the box before his low strike at the near post is parried behind by Lunin.

Lunin also has to be alert to stop the ball being squeezed in from the resulting corner.

Plenty of early pressure from Sociedad amid a crackling atmosphere.

20:34 , George Flood

A bright start from the hosts as Aihen Munoz cuts inside off the left flank before drilling an effort over Lunin’s crossbar.

Ceballos now down after being caught in midfield.

20:31 , George Flood

Here we go in San Sebastian!

Who will come out on top in the second of this week’s Copa del Rey semi-final first-leg ties?

This game will have to go some to match the drama witnessed in the eight-goal thriller between Barcelona and Atletico last night.

20:29 , George Flood

The teams are out at Anoeta!

Plenty of noise and a light show greets the players’ arrival.

The home fans are in brilliant voice.

Should be some atmosphere in store tonight.

20:27 , George Flood

Final preparations at Anoeta!

Sociedad have won 11 of their last 13 at home across all competitions, but Real Madrid were 2-0 victors here in LaLiga back in September thanks to second-half penalties from Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr.

20:22 , George Flood

Real Sociedad boss Imanol Alguacil was asked ahead of kick-off how his side can beat Real Madrid...

“We will have to do everything, against a team of such level you cannot always press high, sometimes they will force us to be compact and retreat,” he said.

“We also know that they are very powerful at set-pieces, they are the best at everything, they create chances against teams that retreat and against teams that press, that is why they win everything they win.

“Of course, we will have to do it very well because, if they distract you for a minute, they will kill you.”

20:07

Real Madrid will be donning their orange away kits tonight.

A proud moment for Vinicius Jr as he takes the captain’s armband with regular skipper Luka Modric on the bench and deputy Dani Carvajal out injured.

19:49

West Ham loanee Nayef Aguerd retains his place in defence for Sociedad despite a knock that forced him off in the first half against Leganes.

Igor Zubeldia starts alongside him after suspension, with Aritz Elustondo dropping to the bench.

Aihen Munoz is preferred to Javi Lopez at left-back, while there are plenty of other changes from Imanol Alguacil.

Arsen Zakharyan, Pablo Marin, Sergio Gomez and Orri Oskarsson are replaced by Brais Mendez, Luka Sucic, Ander Barrenetxea and Mikel Oyarzabal.

19:36

Remiro, Aramburu, Zubeldia, Aguerd, Aihen, Zubimendi, Brais, Sucic, Kubo, Barrenetxea, Oyarzabal

Marrero, Aritz, Oskarsson, Becker, Javi Lopez, Olasagasti, Sergio Gomez, H Traore, Turrientes, Marin, Martin

19:23 , George Flood

Given their recent issues with referees in LaLiga, Real Madrid will no doubt be just a tad miffed to learn that Antony will be available to face them this weekend.

The much-maligned Brazilian winger has been in surprisingly superb form for Real Betis since joining on loan from Manchester United in January, but was set to be banned for Saturday’s visit of Los Blancos to Estadio Benito Villamarin.

Antony was sent off for a late lunge on Juan Iglesias during Sunday’s win over Getafe, but has since seen his red card overturned on appeal.

Madrid have been seething of late of course on the officiating front, not least because of Jude Bellingham’s controversial red card against Osasuna, which was upheld on appeal.

Bellingham was sent off for allegedly swearing at referee Jose Munuera Montero, but the England midfielder claimed he had rather been making an expression to himself.

19:16 , George Flood

How’s that for an arrival for the Real Sociedad team bus...

19:01

The atmosphere outside Anoeta tonight looks absolutely incredible.

To say the home fans are bang up for this game would be a bit of an understatement...

18:51 , George Flood

Plenty of changes from Carlo Ancelotti to the Real Madrid side who ended a recent domestic slump with a 2-0 home win over Girona in LaLiga on Sunday.

Andriy Lunin starts in goal as expected with Thibaut Courtois rested, with Antonio Rudiger back in the starting XI alongside Aurelien Tchouameni, who looks to have moved back to defence.

Fran Garcia also returns as David Alaba, Lucas Vazquez and Ferland Mendy all drop to the bench.

Eduardo Camavinga, Dani Ceballos and Jude Bellingham all come into midfield, while Endrick and Arda Guler both start in attack with Vinicius Jr, who wears the captain’s armband tonight.

Luka Modric and Rodrygo also drop to the bench, as does Brahim Diaz.

18:43 , George Flood

Lunin, Asencio, Tchouameni, Rudiger, Fran Garcia, Camavinga, Ceballos, Bellingham, Guler, Vinicius Jr, Endrick

Gonzalez, Mestre, Alaba, Modric, Vazquez, Mendy, Brahim, Gonzalo, Rodrygo, Chema

18:36 , George Flood

Real Madrid ran out 2-0 winners at Anoeta in LaLiga back in September, with Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr both netting from the penalty spot in the second half.

Mbappe’s absence is a huge blow for this game, while Sociedad have won five of their last six matches across all competitions and boast a strong home record.

However, we are backing Los Blancos to overcome the recent adversity and mini-domestic blip to produce a comfortable first-leg win that sets them up very nicely indeed for the return fixture at the Bernabeu on April 1.

Real Madrid to win, 2-0.

18:28

The headline team news from a Real Madrid perspective is Kylian Mbappe missing out after feeling bad overnight having had a tooth removed earlier this week.

Carlo Ancelotti had originally said that the in-form French superstar would be available for the game, but he was omitted from the travelling squad in the end.

Madrid - who face a tough trip to Betis in LaLiga at the weekend ahead of their Champions League last-16 first-leg tie at home to Atletico next week - are also resting Thibaut Courtois and Federico Valverde.

However, Jude Bellingham is available to play in the middle of his two-match LaLiga ban for swearing at a referee in the 1-1 draw with Osasuna.

Defenders Eder Militao and Dani Carvajal remain long-term absentees.

18:22 , George Flood

Plenty of injury issues for Real Sociedad to contend with at the moment amid such an important fixture run that also includes a trip to Barcelona in LaLiga on Sunday and their Europa League last-16 tie against Manchester United, the first leg of which is at Anoeta next Thursday.

West Ham loanee Nayef Aguerd has been named in the squad despite being taken off in the first half of Sunday’s 3-0 home league win over Leganes.

Igor Zubeldia and Sheraldo Becker are both available after each being sent off against Real Betis earlier this month, though Hamari Traore, Luka Sucic and Jon Pacheco are all out injured.

Becker, Aguerd and former Real Madrid starlet Takefusa Kubo are all suspended for the weekend, but can play in the Copa del Rey.

18:13 , George Flood

TV channel: In the UK, tonight’s game is being shown live on Premier Sports 2, with coverage beginning at 8:25pm GMT.

Live stream: Subscribers can also watch live online via the Premier Sports Player.

18:11 , George Flood

Good evening and welcome to Standard Sport’s live coverage of Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid.

It is the second of this week’s Copa del Rey semi-final first-leg ties, with Barcelona and Atletico having played out an extraordinary 4-4 draw last night.

Kick-off this evening at the Reale Arena (AKA Anoeta) is at 8:30pm GMT and 9:30pm CET, so stay tuned for all the team news - including the latest on Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham - and live updates.