Endrick delivered another decisive moment in Lyon colours as the Real Madrid loanee scored the breakthrough in a 2–0 Coupe de France victory over Laval, sending his side into the quarter-finals and underlining his explosive start in French football.
The Brazilian teenager struck late in a tense round-of-16 tie at the Groupama Stadium, finally unlocking a stubborn Laval defence before Lyon wrapped up the result in the closing stages. It was Endrick’s fifth goal in five appearances since arriving in January, a return that continues to reshape Lyon’s season.
Lyon controlled large periods of the contest but struggled to convert dominance into clear chances, with Laval defending deep and frustrating the hosts for long spells. The deadlock held until the final 10 minutes, when a moment of precision and power tipped the balance decisively in Lyon’s favour.
The goal further cemented Endrick’s growing influence at the club. On loan from Real Madrid, the 19-year-old has quickly become a focal point in attack, providing cutting edge to a side that had often lacked it earlier in the campaign. His impact has coincided with Lyon’s resurgence in domestic competitions, making the Coupe de France a realistic route to silverware.
The atmosphere reflected both expectation and tension as Lyon pushed forward from the opening exchanges. Sustained pressure pinned Laval back, with midfield runners and overlapping full-backs constantly involved in the buildup, but final balls were repeatedly blocked or rushed.
Clear chances were limited before the breakthrough. Laval threatened sporadically on the counter, forcing Lyon to remain alert, while the home side’s frustration grew as time ticked away. The breakthrough finally arrived in the 80th minute through a familiar source.
Pavel Sulc created the opening, slipping Endrick into space just outside the box. The forward needed little invitation, driving a left-footed strike past the goalkeeper with authority. The finish was clean, confident, and decisive, leaving Laval with no route back into the contest. A second goal soon followed to seal progression.
After the interval, Lyon increased the tempo, committing more bodies forward and tightening their grip on possession. Missed half-chances and hurried efforts kept the tie alive longer than expected, but the shift in momentum was clear as Laval began to tire.
Endrick’s celebration reflected the emotional release of the moment. The teenager later acknowledged that recent performances had weighed on him, particularly after a difficult league outing against Lille, and that the goal allowed him to channel that frustration positively for the team.
With Lyon now through to the last eight, attention turns to the quarter-final draw and a potential path to Nantes. Endrick’s one-goal-per-game run has transformed Lyon into one of the most dangerous sides left in the competition, and if his form continues, this Coupe de France campaign could yet become the defining chapter of their season.
