Real Madrid welcomed Cultural Leonesa to the Bernabeu on Wednesday night for the second leg of their last-32 Copa del Rey clash, holding a 7-1 victory from the first leg in October.
That lead had been stretched to 10-2 by the end of the first period courtesy of a double from Mariano Diaz and close-range header from James Rodriguez, while Yeray Gonzalez was on the scoresheet for the visitors.
Enzo Zidane, son of Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane, then made it 4-1 on the night just past the hour, before Mariano completed his hat-trick in the 88th minute and Cesar Morgado scored an own-goal two minutes later.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live Copa del Rey coverage continues from the Bernabeu as Real Madrid welcome Cultural Leonesa for the second leg of their last-32 clash. Real Madrid hold a 7-1 lead from the first leg in October and in truth, it would take one of the biggest miracles in the history of sport for Segunda Division B side Cultural Leonesa to advance. To be blunt, it just will not happen.
Los Blancos boss Zinedine Zidane actually played a really strong team in the first leg on October 26 and the scoreline was an indication of the difference between the two sides. Marco Asensio and Alvaro Morata both grabbed braces, while Nacho and Mariano Diaz were also on the scoresheet as Real Madrid recorded a 7-1 victory to 99.9% make sure of a spot in the round of 16 once again.
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from the Bernabeu. We were expecting sweeping changes from Real Madrid once again, has that happened? What about the visitors? Is their goalscorer from the first leg – Benja – included? Let's have a look...
TEAMS!
REAL: Casilla; Carvajal, Pepe, Nacho, Tejero; Odegaard, Casemiro, James; Isco, Mariano, Asensio
LEONESA: Leandro; Gonzalez, Bastos, Morgado, Diaz; Gil, Gonzalez, Suarez; Gallar, Benja, Orti
The big news in the Real Madrid camp is that Norwegian teenager Martin Odegaard finally makes his first start for the Spanish giants. The attacker's Real Madrid debut arrived on the final weekend of the 2014-15 campaign, but he was not involved last season. Elsewhere, Kiko Casilla and Castilla left-back Alvaro Tejudo are selected, while Mariano Diaz will lead the line with support from Isco and Marco Asensio. Brazilian midfielder Casemiro also appears for the first time since fracturing his leg earlier this season.
© Getty Images
As for the visitors, Benja, who as mentioned, scored in the first leg, will once again lead the line. It is an all-Spanish XI from Cultural Leonesa, with on-loan Real Zaragoza attacker Jorge Orti also included. Toni Suarez, who has no relation to either Luis or Mario, will start in a midfield three as Cultural Leonesa look to overcome a 7-1 deficit from the first leg. Always a slight chance I suppose!
So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now just about 12 minutes from kickoff on this mild evening in the Spanish capital. Real Madrid have won the Copa del Rey on 19 occasions, but have not actually landed the title since 2014 and it would be fair to say that this competition is third on their list of priorities this season (or all seasons) behind La Liga and the Champions League.
Saturday's 2-1 win over Sporting Gijon ensured that La Liga leaders Real Madrid would take a six-point lead into Saturday's El Clasico with Barcelona. Los Blancos have now won their last six in Spain's top flight and also booked their spot in the knockout round of the Champions League with a 2-1 victory away to Sporting Lisbon last Tuesday night. It is all going pretty well at the moment.
© AFP
As for Cultural Leonesa, this is their best run in the Copa del Rey since the 1955-56 season, which was incidentally their only campaign in the top flight of Spanish football. They currently play their football in the Segunda B, where they have finished seventh in each of the last two seasons.
Ruben de la Barrera's side are going very well this time around, however, with a total of 42 points from 16 matches leaving them top of the Segunda B – nine points clear of second-place Celta Vigo II. Since losing to Real Madrid in that first leg, they have won five and drawn once in the league. they are not going to progress any further in this competition, but it will be a special night for the club.
Throwback to when Cultural Leonesa wore a tuxedo kit.
Our eyes 👀
Here's Squawka Suggests. pic.twitter.com/0j6ZMzyK2G — Squawka Football (@Squawka) November 30, 2016
KICKOFF! The away side kick things off at the Bernabeu...
... GOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Cultural Leonesa (Mariano)
Real Madrid lead 23 seconds into this match as a mistake from Bastos sees Asensio nip in and square the ball to Mariano, who just cannot miss the target from close range.
Half-chance for the away side this time as Gallar makes ground down the left before delivering towards lone striker Benja, but the Spaniard cannot make contact and Casilla is on hand to claim.
Every cloud I suppose...
That goal changes nothing for Cultural, still need the seven. — AS English (@English_AS) November 30, 2016
Plenty of empty seats inside the ground tonight, but there is a decent atmosphere and it has been a pretty good response from the away side as they break once again through Orti. I would be very surprised if we had seen the last of the goals. I fancy four or five more at least tonight.
I am actually surprised that the likes of Pepe and Carvajal are involved for Real Madrid tonight, considering that the pair should both be in the XI for El Clasico this weekend. Only Tejero and Odegaard can be considered surprise selections in what is a very experienced XI for the hosts.
Odegaard is seeing plenty of the ball at the moment and the teenager certainly looks at home on this Bernabeu pitch. In fairness to Cultural Leonesa, they are giving this a go as Orti and Gallar look to join Benja whenever the opportunity arrives. As things stand, Real Madrid lead 8-1 on aggregate.
Real Madrid have not really been able to build on their strong start, with the likes of James and Isco a little wasteful in possession of the ball. James does not look too interested at the moment.
Bastos has shown a willingness to break down the right for the visitors, but the right-back looks up on the latest occasion and has no options inside the box. Real Madrid break down the other end, but they are moving the ball too slowly at the moment, which is making things comfortable for the visitors.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Mariano has the ball in the back of the net once again following a wonderful passing move, but the striker was just offside. Linesman made the correct call.
Not an awful lot to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes. Well, since Real Madrid make the breakthrough inside the first minute (23 seconds to be precise). Just a reminder that the first leg of this contest has already taken place and Real Madrid recorded a 7-1 win. Close game. Not.
Just a reminder that Barcelona will play the first leg of their last-32 Copa del Rey clash away to Hercules tonight and I shall also be covering that one live from 8.30pm UK time. The likes of Alcacer, Rafinha and Denis Suarez are all expected to feature for the Spanish champions in that one.
GOAL! Real Madrid 2-0 Cultural Leonesa (James)
Goal number two for the home side as Carvajal delivers a sensational cross into the Cultural Leonesa box and James is on hand to head past the goalkeeper from close range.
This competition has faced criticism for the two-legged affairs at such an early stage, but who could deny these Cultural Leonesa players the chance to play in such a famous stadium.
On the flip side, it does seem a little strange that after winning the first leg 7-1, Real Madrid have to play Cultural Leonesa in a second leg and potentially hand out another beating. In truth, this could be anything that the home side want it to be, especially when legs tire in the second period.
Decent stop from the away side's goalkeeper as he gets down to keep out James's effort.
BOOKING! Casemiro (Real Madrid) is booked for a late tackle on Gonzalez.
BOOKING! Garrido (Leonesa) is booked for a late tackle on Asensio.
Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining and in truth, it is almost like an exhibition match. Real Madrid will want to get through the second half with no injuries, while Cultural Leonesa will want a goal for their travelling supporters. This was always going to be purely academic.
Zinedine Zidane's son, Enzo Zidane, is on the bench for Real Madrid tonight and it would be an awkward dinner conversation if Zinedine did not hand Enzo at least a few minutes in the second period.
Close from Isco as the Spaniard just misses the far post with a powerful strike.
CHANCE! Mariano should score after breaking into the away side's box, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. At the moment, it is still respectable for Cultural Leonesa.
GOAL! Real Madrid 3-0 Cultura Leonesa (Mariano)
Mariano has his second and Real Madrid have their third as the striker smashes one into the top corner after being released by another smart pass from Carvajal. Super strike for 3-0 here.
Mariano has certainly made a point to Zidane in this first period, while James has also improved after a slow opening 10 minutes or so. I would be surprised if Zidane did not look to substitute the likes of Pepe and Carvajal in the second 45 minutes ahead of El Clasico on Saturday afternoon.
GOAL! Real Madrid 3-1 Cultural Leonesa (Gonzalez)
My word! The visitors have one back and it is some strike as Gonzalez smashes one into the back of the net after Real Madrid fail to clear their lines. It was as straight as an arrow past Casilla!
HALF-TIME: Real Madrid 3-1 Cultural Leonesa
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Real Madrid leading 3-1 on the night and 10-2 on aggregate as they close on a spot in the last-16 stage of the Copa del Rey. It did appear that the hosts would lead 3-0 into the break, but Gonzalez hit a stunner for the visitors!
BENCH WATCH! Zidane's son Enzo Zidane is on the Real Madrid bench tonight and it is understood that we should see the Frenchman at some point in the second period. First-teamers Kovacic, Vasquez and Varane are also available should Zidane require. As for the visitors, they have forward options in the shape of Martinez and Moreno, while Dutch defender Zuiverloon is also available.
DC: @realmadrid 3-1 @CyDLeonesa (@marianodiaz9 1', 42', @jamesdrodriguez 23'; Yeray González 45').#RMCopa #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/hcfRVkAcJF
— Real Madrid C. F. (@realmadrid) November 30, 2016
RESTART! Real Madrid resume the action on home soil...
REAL MADRID SUBS! Enzo Zidane and Varane have replaced Isco and Carvajal.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the away side to score a second as Benja meets a loose ball inside the Real Madrid box, but his effort is just wide of the far post!
Just a reminder that Cultural Leonesa need eight goals without reply if they are to advance into the next round of the Copa del Rey. I am not saying there is no chance. I am saying never, ever, ever. It is a very open game at the moment and the visitors have just had a pretty strong penalty shout.
Mariano is big and strong and he has caused the away side all sorts of bother in this match. Another half-chance arrives for Real Madrid when Odegaard slides in Isco, but the midfielder's effort is deflected wide of the post. Odegaard has been impressive for Los Blancos tonight.
CULTURAL LEONESA SUB! Gianni replaces Benja for the away side.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes, but both teams are committing plenty of players forward when they have the chance to break. In fairness to Cultural Leonesa, they are not sitting back and accepting a heavy defeat - they have come to play some football.
Odegaard misses the near post with a powerful strike from distance.
Little over 30 minutes of this second leg remaining and Cultural Leonesa are the team pressing forward in search of a second goal. Enzo Zidane has seen bits of the ball during his time on the field, but Odegaard has been the star turn. He might well have played his way into Zidane's plans.
Mariano might be new to a number of our readers tonight, but the Dominican Republic international is 23 years of age and after being a regular scorer for Real Madrid Castilla, has been given the chance to impress in the first team. Can he play his way into the plans of Zidane? We shall see!
GOAL! Real Madrid 4-1 Cultural Leonesa (Enzo Zidane)
Enzo Zidane gets his name on the scoresheet as the debutant manages to squeeze the ball past the Cultural Leonesa goalkeeper after really smart work from Odegaard once again!
I would be surprised if we had seen the last of the goals tonight as both teams continue to commit players in the final third of the field. Odegaard deserves a goal for his performance here.
Decent save from Casilla to keep out a long-range strike from Villa Suarez. Cultural Leonesa continue to commit players in the final third, but Real Madrid have so much space down the other end and it would not be a surprise to see another goal for the home soon arrive!
CULTURAL LEONESA SUB! Abdulsalam replaces Gianni for the away side.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes, but there is still a good atmosphere inside the stadium and that has been the case for all of this match despite the lack of numbers. It has been a good chance to see some of Real Madrid's youngsters play in the first team.
The fact that James seems to be playing the full 90 minutes tonight is a good indication that the Colombian will not start Saturday's El Clasico. The attacker has been linked with a move away in the January transfer window and it would not be a surprise if James wanted to seek pastures new.
REAL MADRID SUB! Yanez replaces Casilla between the sticks for Real Madrid.
SAVE! Super save from the away side's goalkeeper as Tejero is denied. Monteagud has made some mistakes in this match, but he has also made some really smart saves.
CULTURAL LEONESA SUB! Moreno replaces Orti for the away side.
We have just had an unwanted visitor on the pitch, but the situation is now under control!
Little under five minutes of this Copa del Rey contest remaining and Cultural Leonesa can take plenty of heart from their performance. They were never going to advance to the next round, even before losing 7-1 in the first leg, but they have their goal and have caused some problems here.
Just a reminder that I shall also be covering Barcelona's Copa del Rey last-32 first leg away to Hercules tonight, so be sure to join us for that one! Coverage will get underway at 8.30pm ahead of a 9pm kickoff. I suspect that might well be a tougher game than Real Madrid's here!
Moreno just misses the post for the visitors after meeting a Gonzalez free kick.
GOAL! Real Madrid 5-1 Cultural Leonesa (Mariano)
Mariano has his hat-trick as the striker heads a brilliant Tejero free kick into the back of the net!
GOAL! Real Madrid 6-1 Cultural Leonesa (Morgado OG)
Real Madrid have their sixth as Morgado turns past his own goalkeeper from close range.
FULL-TIME: Real Madrid 6-1 Cultural Leonesa
So there we have it. Real Madrid run out 6-1 winners on the night and 13-2 winners overall to book their spot in the last-16 stage of the competition. Thanks for joining Sports Mole's live coverage once again! Remember, back at 8.30pm for Barcelona vs. Hercules!
