Place booked in Copa del Rey Round of 16

Real Madrid beat Talavera at the Estadio El Prado to seal their place in the Copa del Rey Round of 16. Xabi Alonso's boys set themselves on the way to victory towards the end of the first half, when Mbappé converted a penalty and Farrando turned into his own net following some nice play by the Frenchman. After the break, Nahuel made it 1-2 on 80’ and Mbappé completed another double seven minutes later. In time added on, Renzo made it 2-3. David Jiménez and Cestero both made their debuts. 

Our team flew out the blocks, eager to put the tie in their favour as soon as possible. They came close to doing just that inside four minutes, when Mbappé had a one-on-one with Jaime González, who did well to get the better of the forward. The hosts responded on 14 minutes, Marcos Moreno's powerful header being expertly kept out by the diving Lunin. From that point on, it was all about Xabi Alonso's side, as they began to create chance after chance. David Jiménez crossed on 20’ and Farrando cleared off the line to deny Endrick a goal. Three minutes later, the Talavera goalkeeper did brilliantly to stop Gonzalo's headed effort.

The goals arrive
Real Madrid were enjoying their best spell of the game as they continued to push on in search of a well-deserved opener. Ceballos' shot on 25’ flew just inches off target, before Arda Güler tried his luck from a free-kick with 27 minutes gone, only to see it turned behind for a corner by the inspired Jaime González. Our team finally did break the deadlock on the stroke of half-time. Mbappé stepped up to convert from the spot after Marcos Moreno had handled in the box on 40’. Then, in first-half injury time, it was 0-2. Mbappé did superbly to evade the attentions of Luis Sánchez, raced past Di Renzo and crossed into the box with 52 minutes played, with the ball ricocheting off Farrando into his own net.

The game remained the same following the break, and Mbappé had a great chance to complete his brace, but he shot off target when through against Jaime González on 52'. Arda Güler could have also increased the lead on 68’ with a long-range free-kick which was once again repelled by the Talavera shot-stopper. Just as it looked like 0-3 was inevitable, it was 1-2 as Nahuel found the net with 80 minutes gone. The goal gave the hosts hope, but Mbappé quickly hit back with a stunning long-range strike seven minutes later. In injury time, Di Renzo struck a free-kick which came off the bar and into the net to set up a tense finish. A fine Lunin save from Di Renzo's later strike ultimately made sure there would be no upset and Real Madrid now wait to discover their opposition in the Copa Round of 16.