Arda Guler scores a brace to help Real Madrid claim a comfortable 5-0 victory over fourth-tier Deportivo Minera in the third round of the Copa del Rey.
Arda Guler netted a brace as Real Madrid cruised past fourth-tier Deportivo Minera to secure their spot in the Copa del Rey last 16.
Unsurprisingly, Carlo Ancelotti made wholesale changes from the team that started Friday’s 2-1 win over Valencia, opting to rest key players ahead of Thursday’s for Spanish Super Cup semi-final against Mallorca.
However, Ancelotti decided against resting Federico Valverde, who made an early impact in the Copa del Rey tie, deviating from his trademark long-range efforts to thump the ball in from close range.
Valverde was soon joined on the scoresheet by Eduardo Camavinga and Guler, as Real Madrid effectively sealed their place in Wednesday’s last-16 draw inside the opening half-hour.
Despite the best efforts of Minera goalkeeper Fran Martinez, Real Madrid went on to add to their tally in the second period, as Luka Modric made it four in the 55th minute, before Guler grabbed a second to apply the finishing touches in the closing stages of a comfortable evening for Los Blancos.
The win extends the visitors’ unbeaten run to six competitive matches, while Minera will reflect upon a difficult but unforgettable night where they got to share the pitch with the stars of Real Madrid.
SPORTS MOLE’S VERDICT
Given the quality deficit between the two sides, Minera knew they needed to frustrate Real Madrid for as long as possible if they were to have any hope of producing a monumental upset.
Unfortunately for Minera, that game plan was ripped apart in the opening half-hour as Los Blancos showcased their wealth of talent, even with Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe watching on from the bench.
The latter two got on the pitch in the second half, but crucially, the job was done when they finally entered the fray, ensuring they did not have to waste too much energy ahead of the Spanish Super Cup.
Perhaps the only disappointment for Ancelotti was that he could not fully evaluate his youthful backline due to their lack of work throughout the contest.
DEPORTIVO MINERA VS. REAL MADRID HIGHLIGHTS
Valverde goal vs. Minera (5th min, Minera 0-1 Real Madrid)
💥 ¡𝐙𝐀𝐏𝐀𝐓𝐀𝐙𝐎 de Fede Valverde para abrir el marcador!
El uruguayo desde el área pequeña golpeó el esférico al fondo de la red.
🆚 @DeportivaMinera | 0-1 | @realmadrid | 5′
📺 @La1_tve
ℹ️ Minuto a minuto: https://t.co/j7Jyd5Mzm1#LaCopaMola🏆 | #CopaDelReyMAPFRE pic.twitter.com/sCNU6Rutbi
— RFEF (@rfef) January 6, 2025
Real Madrid require just five minutes to flex their La Liga muscles against fourth-tier Minera. Brahim Diaz picks up the ball on the left side of the box after Endrick is dispossessed. Diaz sends a cross to the far post where Cristhian Britos fails to clear his lines. He can only head the ball up in the air for Valverde to meet with a thumping volley which whistles into the far corner.
Camavinga goal vs. Minera (13th min, Minera 0-2 Real Madrid)
⚽️ ¡𝗚𝗢𝗢𝗢𝗢𝗢𝗢𝗟! ¡𝗚𝗢𝗢𝗢𝗢𝗢𝗟! ¡𝗚𝗢𝗢𝗢𝗢𝗢𝗟!
Recuperación y centro de Fran García que remata de cabeza Camavinga para el 0-2.
🆚 @DeportivaMinera | 0-2 | @realmadrid | 13′
📺 @La1_tve
ℹ️ Minuto a minuto: https://t.co/j7Jyd5N7bz#LaCopaMola🏆 | #CopaDelReyMAPFRE pic.twitter.com/xPhtLSFLp6
— RFEF (@rfef) January 6, 2025
Camavinga doubles Real Madrid’s advantage just seconds after seeing his left-foot shot kept out by Minera goalkeeper Fran Martinez. Fran Garcia shows great persistence to win possession back, before lofting the ball into the box for Camavinga to head home.
Guler goal vs. Minera (28th min, Minera 0-3 Real Madrid)
⚽️ ¡𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐞 𝐞𝐥 𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐨 𝐚𝐥 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐫!
Arda Güler se suma a la fiesta del gol con un disparo pegado al palo derecho.
🆚 @DeportivaMinera | 0-3 | @realmadrid | 28′
📺 @La1_tve
ℹ️ Minuto a minuto: https://t.co/j7Jyd5Mzm1#LaCopaMola🏆 | #CopaDelReyMAPFRE pic.twitter.com/gJfYM9mXDd
— RFEF (@rfef) January 6, 2025
Guler makes it three before we even hit the 30-minute mark. The 19-year-old drives inside on his favoured left foot, before seeing his strike deflect off Fran Molina and past the helpless Martinez.
Modric goal vs. Minera (55th min, Minera 0-4 Real Madrid)
𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐡𝐢𝐦➕ 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐜́ 🟰 ⚽️
Combinación perfecta entre los dos jugadores del Real Madrid para que el croata haga el cuarto.
🆚 @DeportivaMinera | 0-4 | @realmadrid | 55′
📺 @La1_tve
ℹ️ Minuto a minuto: https://t.co/j7Jyd5Mzm1#LaCopaMola🏆 | #CopaDelReyMAPFRE pic.twitter.com/7dCZOAjyzG
— RFEF (@rfef) January 6, 2025
Modric gets in on the act to add to Real Madrid’s tally in the second period. The veteran midfielder combines with Brahim, before waiting for the right moment to guide a composed finish into the far corner.
Guler goal vs. Minera (88th min, Minera 0-5 Real Madrid)
⚽️ ¡𝗚𝗢𝗢𝗢𝗢𝗢𝗢𝗟! ¡𝗚𝗢𝗢𝗢𝗢𝗢𝗟! ¡𝗚𝗢𝗢𝗢𝗢𝗢𝗟!
Doblete de Arda Güler tras una gran jugada de Mbappé y Fran García.
🆚 @DeportivaMinera | 0-5 | @realmadrid | 88′
📺 @La1_tve
ℹ️ Minuto a minuto: https://t.co/j7Jyd5N7bz#LaCopaMola🏆 | #CopaDelReyMAPFRE pic.twitter.com/KdrRkEnpXj
— RFEF (@rfef) January 6, 2025
Guler wraps up a dominant display for Ancelotti’s charges. Mbappe drives towards the box and unselfishly lays the ball off to Garcia. The 25-year-old plays the ball across for Guler to tap into the awaiting net.
MAN OF THE MATCH – ARDA GULER
Guler pips his Real Madrid teammates to our Man of the Match award, partly because Valverde was withdrawn at half-time, denying him the chance to continue his impressive display.
The Turkey international netted a couple of goals and created five chances in the Copa del Rey tie, as he made his case for being a more prominent figure in Ancelotti’s plans.
We should also highlight Minera’s Martinez, who caught the eye despite conceding five goals, with the goalkeeper making 16 saves during the course of a one-sided encounter.
DEPORTIVO MINERA VS. REAL MADRID MATCH STATS
Possession: Minera 34%-66% Real Madrid Shots: Minera 4-33 Real Madrid Shots on target: Minera 1-21 Real Madrid Corners: Minera 0-9 Real Madrid Fouls: Minera 11-13 Real Madrid
BEST STATS
Fede Valverde vs Deportivo Minera:
1 goal1 assist2 shots on target2 chances created2 successful take-ons6 accurate long balls12 passes into final third
Only played the first half. pic.twitter.com/AKuzgkUuhz
— StatMuse FC (@statmusefc) January 6, 2025
16 – Fran Martínez’s 16 saves for Deportiva Minera is the highest record by a goalkeeper in any competition against a @LaLigaEN team since at least the 2014/15 season.
Inspired. pic.twitter.com/n8Z3MBtvBR
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) January 6, 2025
WHAT NEXT?
After sealing their place in the last 16 of the Copa del Rey, Real Madrid will now travel to Saudi Arabia for Thursday’s Spanish Super Cup semi-final against Mallorca, with Los Blancos looking to set up a final against either Barcelona or Athletic Bilbao.
As for Minera, they will try to take the positives from their dream cup tie against one of the giants of world football, as they now turn their focus back to league action for Sunday’s home clash with Cadiz B.
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