It wasn’t overly straightforward for Real Madrid, but they have begun the defence of their Copa del Rey crown in accomplished style on Saturday evening, seeing off a brave Arandina side with a 2-0 scoreline.
2023/2024 Copa del Rey
1-3
Match Report
Carlo Ancelotti handed debuts to Vinicius Tobias, Alvaro Carrillo and Arda Guler for the match. It was the latter that lit up the opening 45 minutes, although Real Madrid were unable to find a breakthrough, despite the Turkish teenager’s best efforts.
However, Los Blancos came out much better in the second period, and within 10 minutes, they were 2-0 up. Brahim Diaz was felled inside the area, which allowed Joselu Mato to score Real Madrid’s first penalty of the season, after three previous missed efforts. Less than 60 seconds later, it was Brahim himself who found the back of the net as he finished off a fine counter-attack that he had started.
Real Madrid were able to add a third when Rodrygo fired home in stoppage time, but they could not keep a clean sheet, as Raly Cabral scored in the final minute for the match for Arandina – an incredible moment for the hosts.
Real Madrid will be disappointed not to have kept a clean sheet, but regardless, they will be in the hat for the last 16 draw. Their attention will now turn to Wednesday’s Spanish Super Cup semi-final clash with local rivals Atletico Madrid in Riyadh.
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
13' CLOSE! Guler’s shot saved by Goalkeeper!
36' CLOSE! Guler’s shot wide out
45' CHANCE! Paz header over the bar
53' Yellow Card! Jorge Pesca booked
54' Penalty Goal! Arandina 0-1 Real Madrid (Joselu)
55' GOAL! Arandina 0-2 Real Madrid (Brahim)
82' Joselu fires his shot into the sky
91' GOAL! Arandina 0-3 Real Madrid (Rodrygo)
93' OWN GOAL! Arandina 1-3 Real Madrid (Nacho)
Line-ups
Arandina XI: Zazu, Alfredo Sualdea, Deiby Ochoa, Sergio Santa, Adrián Álvarez, Vitolo, Átomo, Ayoub El Battioui, Jaime Márquez, Haji Ceesay, Jorge Pesca
Subs: Roberto Jara, Jorge Rodríguez, Raly Cabral, Pepe Otu, Fer Bajo, Kevin Manzano, Carmelo Sánchez, Pablo Aguilera, Diego Herrera
Real Madrid XI: Joselu, Nacho, Kepa, Ceballos, Brahim, Fran García, Eduardo Camavinga, Álvaro Carrillo, Arda Güler, Nico Paz, Vinícius Tobias
Subs: Modric, Carvajal, Rudiger, Valverde, Andriy Lunin, Rodrygo, Jude Bellingham, Álvaro Rodríguez, Mario Martín, Fran González