(Football news) The Brazil international came off the bench to register in the 95th minute of what proved to be a 3-1 success for Carlo Ancelotti’s side in their opening match of the 2024-25 competition.
At the age of 18 years and 58 days old, Endrick has become the youngest player to register for Real Madrid in the Champions League, surpassing Raul’s record from 1995.
Raul was 18 years and 113 days old when he first scored for Real Madrid in the Champions League, but Endrick has now taken the record, and it has been a very encouraging start to his career at the club.
Endrick has now managed two goals in five appearances for the reigning Spanish and European champions, with his first for the club coming against Real Valladolid in La Liga at the end of August.
Endrick becomes Real Madrid’s youngest-ever Champions League goalscorer
“Endrick had the courage because it was the last ball of the game. The best solution was to take advantage of the counter-attack, which was three to one,” Ancelotti told reporters in his post-match press conference.
“He was convinced to score and he did it very well. He probably chose the most complicated solution, but the result was very good.”
Kylian Mbappe’s first Champions League goal for the club sent Real Madrid ahead early in the second period, but it was 1-1 in the 68th minute when Deniz Undav found the back of the net.
Stuttgart looked on course for a welcome point in their league-phase opener, but Antonio Rudiger scored a second for Los Blancos in the 83rd minute, before Endrick made sure of all the points with his goal in the fifth minute of added time at the end of the 90.
Ancelotti admits Real Madrid are still searching for their best form
“The headline of the night could be: Real Madrid have won the first game of this new Champions League format, nothing more,” Ancelotti added after the contest.
“We are still looking for our best version and at times we have done well. When we scored the game could have been over but after the draw, we had the strength to win a very important game.
“If anyone thinks that winning games is easy, they are wrong. I have coached more than 200 Champions League games and I do not remember any of them without suffering.”
Real Madrid have now won their last three matches in all competitions, having recorded back-to-back league victories over Real Betis and Real Sociedad either side of the international break.
Ancelotti’s side now have three straight league fixtures against Espanyol, Alaves and Atletico Madrid before resuming their Champions League campaign away to French side lille on October 2.
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