Real Madrid safely navigated their Copa del Rey debut, dispatching third-tier side Arandina CF with a comfortable 3-0 victory at the El Montecillo stadium on Saturday, January 6, 2024.
The young Madrid side, featuring several academy graduates, took control early. The breakthrough came in the 54th minute when Brazilian forward Rodrygo Goes calmly slotted home a penalty to give Los Blancos the lead.
Joselu Mato doubled the advantage just nine minutes later, in the 63rd minute, heading in a cross to put the result beyond doubt. The scoring was rounded off by young talent Nico Paz, who found the net in the 90+1st minute to seal a 3-0 win for Carlo Ancelotti’s men.
The match was not without concern for Madrid, however. Veteran defender Dani Carvajal was forced off with an injury in the 35th minute, casting a shadow over an otherwise straightforward passage to the next round.
With this result, Real Madrid advances to the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey, continuing their quest for the trophy in the 2023-2024 season.
