Copa del Rey: Rodrygo stunner sees Real Madrid edge out fourth-tier Cacereno and progress to last 16

Real Madrid booked their place in the last 16 of the Copa del Rey after labouring to a 1-0 win over Cacereno at the Estadio Principe Felipe.

Julio Cobos’s side were eyeing up another La Liga scalp after stunning Girona with a 2-1 win on December 22, but despite performing admirably, this proved a step too far.

However, the result was still incredibly impressive given that the hosts play in Group 5 of the Segunda Division RFEF – the fourth tier of the Spanish league system.

The Green and White also came into this match in fine form after going on seven-match unbeaten run heading into this contest.

As expected, Carlo Ancelotti rang in the changes to the side that beat Real Vallodolid on Friday, with Lucas Vazquez, Rodrygo, Eduardo Camavinga, Andriy Lunin, Eden Hazard, Alvaro Odriozola and Nacho all given starts.

An early chance fell the way for Dani Ceballos when his low strike was brilliantly kept out by Ivan Moreno.

The hosts gave the home crowd a reason to get excited when Francisco David Grande Serrano fired a fierce long-range strike towards goal, but was denied thanks to a fine Andriy Lunin save.

A lacklustre first half saw Ancelotti turn to the bench at half-time, introducing Antonio Rudiger and Federico Valverde for some fresh impetus.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 70th minute when Rodrygo ended the hosts’ resistance in a decisive moment of pure quality from the Brazilian.

After being teed up by Dani Ceballos, he weaved through the Cacereno defence before opening up his body and firing a clinical right-footed strike past Moreno.

It was the 21-year-old’s eighth goal of the season across all competitions, in a strike worthy of winning any match.

Los Blancos saw out the remainder of the match with relative ease, but there was a hairy moment late on when Garci played an enticing ball into the box, but failed to find any of his team-mates.

It was a welcome victory for Ancelotti’s side, who have now won their last three matches in all competitions.

They turn their attention back to La Liga at the weekend with a game away at Villarreal, in what is becoming an increasingly tense battle for the title.

Barcelona currently sit top of the table on goal difference with both Xavi’s and Ancelotti’s men on 38 points from 15 games played.