02.12.2014 » Real Madrid 5-0 Cornella. James and Isco shine in Jesé's return
Carlo Ancelotti's side headed into the second leg of their Copa Del Rey matchup against Cornella with the result very much decided. The Italian coach named a changed side with a good mix of youth players and substitutes making up the numbers. Some of the "heavyweights" like Cristiano Ronaldo, Kroos, Bale or Benzema were spared from this game, but jugding by the 5-0 scoreline, it's not like they were missed that much... After their 4-1 win away from home a few weeks back, nothing short of an absolute miracle would give the 4th division side a chance to progress to the next round. That miracle didn't happen though and it's Real Madrid who moves on to the next round of the Copa del Rey, and where they'll most likely meet their city rivals, Atletico Madrid.
Real Madrid 5-0 Cornella - Goals and highlights:
Cornella started the game well organized and almost got to shock the Bernabéu in the 14th minute, when a clumsy foul by veteran Alvaro Arbeloa on Cornella attacker Xavier Boniquet led the referee to point to the spot. Boniquet stepped up to try to convert the penalty, but ended up blasting the ball over Fernando Pacheco's bar. Real Madrid seemingly awoken by the threat of going down and responded immediately through a James Rodriguez chip in the box, after a brilliant pass from the fantastic Isco, who basically toyed with the Cornella defenders all night.
The James-Isco connection would appear again, but this time in reverse format as a brilliant ball through the center of the defense from the Colombian freed up Isco. The Spaniard then also chipped the ball over the keeper's body and made it 2-0 for the hosts with 33 minutes played. Almost immediately after, Madrid opened the floodgates with another brilliant goal from James Rodriguez, following a Chicharito backheel. Receiving the ball at the edge of the box, James sent it straight into the side netting and made it 3-0 for Madrid. Earlier this week, the Colombian midfielder also got the confirmation that his 2014 FIFA World Cup goal against Uruguay will be one of the 3 candidates to win the FIFA Puskas award, a honor meant to distinguish the best goal of the year.
The second half was more of the same, with Real Madrid controlling the game and Isco, the main threat, marshaling the midfield. An own goal would give the hosts their 4th, though Chicharito would love to claim it after his volley from a lofted ball delivered by Arbeloa. The Mexican smartly put it in off the cross bar, though it was turned in by a Cornella defender in the end.
But the moment Real Madrid fans were definitely waiting on, would occur in the second half with the return of the jewel of Castilla: Jese Rodriguez. In limited minutes, the young Spaniard looked superb and it seems his injury hasn't affected his world class pace, something Madrid fans will certainly be happy to hear. After some nice dribbles and combination plays ended fruitless, he was finally rewarded in the 77th minute with a smart finish across the face of the goal, courtesy of an Isco through ball that allowed to make it 5-0 to Real Madrid.
The Merengues would see out the game without too much incident, though a Khedira head injury and a late scare with Nacho will have to be evaluated. Seventeen wins in a row now and the victory parade keeps going along.
Author: Terrance Ross
Cristiano Ronaldo next game will be for the Spanish League against Celta de Vigo, next Saturday, December 6. You can watch Juventus live stream, Real Madrid vs Celta de Vigo, Huesca vs Barça, Sunderland vs Manchester City, Chelsea vs Tottenham, and Arsenal vs Southampton, all matches provided from our soccer live game pages.
Real Madrid next game:
Real Madrid vs Celta de Vigo kick-off time (06-12-2014):
Jakarta (Indonesia) | GMT+6: 01:00
Spain (Madrid) | GMT+1: 20:00
Portugal and England (Lisbon/London) | GMT+0: 19:00
Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) | GMT-4: 15:00
New York (United States) | GMT-5: 14:00
Los Angeles (United States) | GMT-8 11:00
Beijing (China) | GMT+7: 02:00
Sources: ronaldo7.net / realmadrid.com / goal.com / dailymail.co.uk
