Madrid book place in Copa del Rey last 16

Real Madrid kicked off their Copa del Rey defence with an away win over Arandina to book their place in the last 16. Ancelotti's side broke the deadlock in the second half when Joselu scored from the penalty spot. A few minutes later, Brahim doubled the lead and Rodrygo added a third in stoppage time, with the hosts grabbing a consolation goal in the dying seconds to make it 1-3.
 
The Montecillo stadium was packed to the rafters to welcome the defending champions. Arda Güler, who was handed his debut, had two very clear chances to put Madrid ahead. First with a close-range effort that was saved by Adrián Álvarez (13') and six minutes later with a curling free-kick that crashed against the woodwork.
 
All even going into the break
Ancelotti’s men were bossing possession, but they failed to create another clear-cut chance until the 39^th minute. Joselu latched onto a rebound off a defender, but the ball crashed into the side-netting and the Whites almost found a way through on the stroke of halftime. Camavinga played a fine through ball to find Güler inside the area, and his cross picked out Nico Paz who headed over.
 
The second half began with a strike from Brahim that narrowly missed the target. The first goal came in the 53rd minute, after the Malaga-born forward was brought down in the area by Zazu. Joselu converted the spot-kick to make it 0-1. The madridistas soon doubled their lead two minutes later. Joselu played the ball into the boss and it bounced back to Brahim who took a touch a hit a sweet half-volley into the far corner of the goal (55’).
 
Madrid in total control
Real Madrid were now comfortably in control of the match. Álvaro, who came on for Tobias on 80’, headed over a cross from Carrillo and in the next move Joselu fired over after a swift counterattack spearheaded by Rodrygo. The Brazilian then made it 0-3 in stoppage time when he was picked out by Brahim after a slick passing move, and the forward killed the ball before firing into the bottom corner. There was still time for the hosts the pull a goal back when Nacho diverted a cross into his own net. The Whites will discover their next Copa del Rey opponents on Monday, 8 January (1pm CET).