Real Madrid stormed into the Copa del Rey round of 16 on Monday with a commanding 5-0 victory against fourth-tier side Deportivo Minera. The Spanish champions displayed their dominance early, with first-half goals from Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, and Arda Güler setting the tone.
Veteran Luka Modric added a fourth after the break, and Güler sealed the rout with his second of the night, showcasing his growing influence in the team.
Strategic Rest Ahead of Spanish Super Cup
Manager Carlo Ancelotti opted to rest key players, including Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior, ahead of the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia later this week. Both stars made brief second-half appearances as substitutes.
Madrid’s early control was evident as Valverde volleyed home at the back post to open the scoring. Camavinga doubled the advantage with a well-placed header in the 13th minute, while young talent Endrick narrowly missed extending the lead before Güler’s deflected effort from the right made it three.
Second-Half Brilliance
In the second half, Brahim Díaz struck the post before Modric, at 39 years old, curled in a precise finish to underline his enduring class. Güler then capped his night with a composed finish after being set up by Fran García, solidifying his status as one of Madrid’s rising stars.
Other Results and Upcoming Draw
Elsewhere, Barcelona and Atlético Madrid advanced comfortably, while defending champions Athletic Bilbao narrowly edged past third-tier Logroñés on penalties.
The draw for the round of 16 is scheduled for Wednesday, with matches set to take place between January 14 and 16.
