Real Madrid made it to the round of 16 in the Spanish Cup with a lot of effort and only narrowly avoided embarrassment.
Coach Xabi Alonso’s team won 3-2 (2-0) against third division soccer team CF Talavera. A brace from superstar Kylian Mbappé (41st minute/hand penalty/88th) and an own goal from Manu Farrando (45th +1) ensured goals for the Spanish record champions. Nahuel Arroyo (80th) and Gonzalo Di Renzo (90th +1) scored for the courageous hosts.
In the first 30 minutes, the Royals dominated the game, but were unable to convert their superiority into goals. The Real players repeatedly failed because of Talavera’s goalkeeper Jaime Gonzalez. Mbappé (41′) gave Madrid the lead with a hand penalty. The Real star was also involved in Real’s second goal right before the break: After a sharp pass from the Frenchman into the penalty area, Talaveras was unable to avoid Farrando and hit his own goal.
In the second half, the hosts managed to catch up through Arroyo (80th). Mbappé (88th) restored the old distance shortly before the end. The wonderful free kick goal by Di Renzo (90th + 1) came too late for the third division team.
The day before, FC Barcelona had already reached the round of 16 with a 2-0 win against third division club CD Guadalajara following the starting eleven comeback of German national goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen.