- Those of Zidane go to eighths after being tied for a few minutes (1-3)
- So many of Bale, who was injured, Gongora (p.p.) and Brahim for whites
Real Madrid confirmed their classification for the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey after getting rid of the Salamanca Unionists on Wednesday (1-3) in a discreet match of the merengue team that solved the goals of Gareth Bale and Brahim Díaz after the scare of the locals, who came to match the tie for five minutes.
From 57 to 62, the Pistas de Salamanca vibrated as they had not done in the last two decades. The visit of the white galaxy became madness with the goal of Álvaro Romero. A left-footed shot from the heart of the area that slipped through the entire Areola squad. Fear was present for those of Zidane, especially for the previous notice to Barça.
Real Madrid was warned to the Salamanca turf, but soon any hint of anxiety was removed from the middle. The person in charge was Bale, who achieved the 0-1 before reaching the equator of the first half. The Welshman connected with a right leg a center of James and his shot was introduced by the goalkeeper's stick.
The goal, which was not celebrated by the 'Cardiff Express', served to appease the spirits of the Unionists and also those of all the noisy local stands. In fact, that launch of Bale gave more dominance in the final meters and Benzema forgave the second after a shot that hit the side of the net.
He spent half an hour of the game and James, with an action of many carats, put the leather on the crossbar, but there was no way to expand the account. Without fuss, but with possession and authority, those of Zidane wasted up to three good occasions not to give life to their rival in the second round. And that was what happened after two opportunities sent to limbo. To top it off, Bale was no longer in the field suffering from another muscle injury.
The first one was from James, who ran into Brais at 49 minutes in a very clear shot. That was when Jabi Luaces' team found the lamp genie in an action that the people of Salamanca will never forget. Romero took the ball in three quarters of the field, caracoleó in front of Militao and found the hole to overcome Areola.
The goal spurred Unionists, but Madrid did not succumb to its charms. Those of Zidane relied on the verticality of Vinicius and the Carvajal climbs to recover the mordant they had lost until then and just five minutes later they could find so much tranquility.
Brahim seizes the opportunity
Marcelo focused on the area and Brahim, just entered, finished off badly, but Gongora put it in his goal in an attempt to clear the ball. From there, the Unionists got rid of the white area, but it was Brahim who kissed the nets again. This time on a personal play on the right side.
The Malaga whipped with his right leg and closed a game that will be historic for a club of only six years of life. The night of this January 22 will always be remembered because – for five minutes – they had against the ropes the 13 times European champion. Blessed new format, blessed Copa del Rey.
DATA SHEET.
–OUTCOME: UNIONISTAS DE SALAMANCA, 1 – REAL MADRID, 3 (0-1, at rest).
– ALIGNMENTS.
UNIONISTS: Brais; Gallego, Zubiri, Ayoze (Amouzou, min. 86), Góngora, Piojo; Javi Navas (Diego González, min. 80), Guille Andrés, De la Nava, José Ángel; and Garrido (Romero, min. 55).
REAL MADRID: Areola; Carvajal, Militao, Nacho, Marcelo; Casemiro, Valverde, James (Isco, min. 80); Vinicius, Bale (Brahim, min. 53) and Benzema (Jovic, min. 75).
– GOALS:
0 – 1, min. 18, Bale.
1 – 1, min. 57, Romero.
1 – 2, min. 62, Gongora, in own goal.
1 – 3, min. 92, Brahim.
–REFEREE: Melero López (C. Andalusia). Yellow card with Romero (min. 67) in the Unionistas.
–STADIUM: The clues. 4,000 spectators Full.