Real Madrid ease past Alcoyano in Copa del Rey
Real Madrid eased into the fifth round of the Copa del Rey with a 3-0 win over Alcoyano on Tuesday and a 7-1 victory on aggregate over the third-division side.
Real Madrid eased into the fifth round of the Copa del Rey with a 3-0 win over 10-man Alcoyano on Tuesday and a 7-1 victory on aggregate over the third-division side.
Argentina forward Angel di Maria ran onto a perfectly-timed pass from fellow substitute Karim Benzema to open the scoring in the 72nd minute. Alcoyano’s Javi Selvas was sent off a minute later for arguing with the referee about an offside decision, earning him his second yellow card of the game.
Jose Callejon then followed up with a goal in the 89th minute and another in injury time.
The Santiago Bernabeu meanwhile welcomed winger Denis Cheryshev, who became the first Russian to start a match for Madrid. He was replaced in the 61st minute by Di Maria.
“I’m very grateful to the coach and above all happy with how the other players and the fans have received me,” Cheryshev said.
Mesut Oezil, who has been criticised recently by coach Jose Mourinho for a lack of commitment and stamina, struggled to find a way through Alcoyano’s defence. However, he proved decisive in supplying Callejon with a beautifully-timed pass for his first goal.
In other round of 32 matches, Real Betis, Las Palmas, Cordoba, Osasuna and Malaga also went through.