Real Madrid advanced to the last 16 of the Copa del Rey with a 3-1 victory over fourth-tier Arandina on Saturday.
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Highlights
Scorers for Real Madrid: Arandina fought hard in the first half, but Joselu put Madrid ahead with a penalty early in the second, and Brahim Diaz and Rodrygo Goes added to Madrid’s lead later.
Scorer for Arandina: In stoppage time, Madrid defender Nacho Fernandez shot through his net to give Arandina a consolation goal that pleased fans at the 6,000-capacity El Montecillo stadium.
Guler came the closest to scoring in the first half.
Zazu tripped Diaz as he surged into the area, Madrid seized the lead from the penalty spot early in the second half, with Joselu delivering a strong, low penalty.
Diaz scored the second goal shortly after the ball fell to him and he shot it past Arandina custodian Adrian Alvarez.
Joselu blew a wonderful chance to extend Madrid’s advantage before substitute Rodrygo scored in stoppage time from Diaz’s cross.
Nacho deflected Raly Cabral’s cross into his net to give Arandina the goal they deserved at the end.
Arandina earned the goal they deserved late in the game when Nacho diverted Raly Cabral’s cross into his net.
Real Madrid’s Arda Guler makes his long-awaited Debut
In the Copa del Rey on Saturday, the Spanish powerhouses defeated Arandina 3-1, marking the long-awaited debut of 18-year-old Turkish attacking midfielder Arda Guler.
Real Madrid’s manager, Carlo Ancelotti, said that Guler performed well for an hour. It was important for him to get used to playing with the team. He will gradually build up his fitness level and intensity.
Guler has experienced a string of ailments after signing a six-year contract for a reputed sum of 20 million euros ($21.88 million).
Diaz Shone brightly in the match
Brahim Diaz earned Real Madrid a penalty which was beautifully curved by Joselu in the 54th minute.
Not much later in the match, he secured a second goal for Real Madrid.
With that, the score at the end of the second half stood 3-1. The minnows lost against the reigning Champions, Real Madrid
The lineup looks promising as Real Madrid have entered Group 16.
Copa del Rey continues on Sunday, with ten games scheduled, including a match between Barcelona and fourth-tier Barbastro. On January 17, the round of 16 matches will begin.