Real Madrid sailed into the Copa del Rey last 16 with a commanding 5-0 victory over fourth-tier side Deportivo Minera on Monday. The Spanish giants showcased their depth and prowess, leaving no doubt about their ambitions this season.
The match saw early dominance from Real Madrid, with Federico Valverde volleying home at the back post to open the scoring. Eduardo Camavinga doubled the lead in the 13th minute with a powerful header, setting the tone for the remainder of the game.
Young talent Arda Guler made his mark by cutting in from the right and scoring with the aid of a deflection, bringing the score to 3-0 before halftime. The Turkish playmaker continued to impress, capping off the night with a second goal in the dying moments after being teed up by Fran Garcia.
Veteran midfielder Luka Modric, at 39 years old, added to the tally with a neat curling effort early in the second half, demonstrating that age is just a number when it comes to footballing brilliance.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti took the opportunity to rest several key players ahead of the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia later this week. Despite this, the team maintained its high standards, with stars like Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior making appearances as second-half substitutes, much to the delight of fans.
Real Madrid’s performance sends a strong message to their rivals. With Barcelona and Atlético Madrid also advancing to the next round, and holders Athletic Bilbao narrowly scraping through on penalties against third-tier Logrones, the competition is heating up.
The draw for the Copa del Rey last 16 will take place on Wednesday, with fixtures scheduled between January 14th and 16th. Fans around the world eagerly await the next chapter in this prestigious tournament.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
