The reigning champion Real Madrid secured their place in the Copa del Rey semifinals on Saturday by defeating fourth-tier Arandina 3-1.
The Minnows fought hard in the first half, but Joselu’s penalty early in the second half gave Madrid the advantage. Rodrygo Goes and Brahim Diaz then extended the lead.
6,000 fans in a packed El Montecillo stadium cheered when Madrid’s defender Nacho Fernandez scored a late goal into his own net for consolation.
In an extraordinarily equally matched first half, Arandina, a team from the Castile and Leon region north of the Spanish capital, frustrated Madrid. Carlo Ancelotti started Eduardo Camavinga, who had been out of the game for more than two months because of a problem with his knee ligament.
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Aside from that, the Italians started with a combination of youthful players and bench warmers. Turkish playmaker Arda Guler joined Madrid this summer after leaving Fenerbahce.
Throughout the first half, Guler was the player who was closest to scoring more than anybody else. He played with ease and produced a rasping free-kick that smacked the post.
Joselu’s penalty attempt early in the second half gave Madrid the lead after Zazu tripped the brilliant Diaz as he raced into the area. The fine was small, but very important.
Adrian Alvarez, the Arandina custodian, handed the ball to Diaz just before he scored the second goal. Joselu gave Madrid a fantastic chance to gain a larger lead. The third goal came via a Diaz pass to replacement Rodrygo in stoppage time.
Arandina took the late lead as Nacho misdirected Raly Cabral’s pass into his own goal.
In other matches, Madrid Betis lost 1-0 to Alaves, eliminating them from the competition, while Memphis Depay scored twice to help Atletico Madrid’s victory against third-tier Lugo 3-1 and advance. Unexpectedly, Girona, a La Liga title candidate, upset Elche 2-0.
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