Real Madrid ease past Arandina » Borneo Bulletin Online

BARCELONA (AFP) – Reigning champions Real Madrid secured their place in the Copa del Rey last 16 with a 3-1 win at fourth-tier Arandina yesterday.

Atletico Madrid progressed with a 3-1 win at third-tier Lugo after Memphis Depay struck twice, while Real Betis were knocked out in a 1-0 defeat by Alaves.

Surprise La Liga title challengers Girona beat second division side Elche 2-0.

Minnows Arandina fought gamely in the first half but Joselu put Madrid ahead with a penalty early in the second, with Brahim Diaz and Rodrygo Goes expanding Madrid’s lead.

Madrid defender Nacho Fernandez put through his own net in stoppage time to give Arandina a consolation goal which delighted supporters at their packed 6,000 capacity El Montecillo stadium.

Guler came closer than anyone to scoring in the first half.

Madrid took the lead from the spot early in the second half after the excellent Diaz was tripped by Zazu as he ran into the area, with Joselu dispatching a firm, low penalty.

Diaz added the second moments later after the ball broke loose to him and he fired it home across Arandina goalkeeper Adrian Alvarez. Arandina got the goal their performance deserved at the death when Nacho deflected Raly Cabral’s cross into his own net.

Earlier Depay scored twice for Atletico to send them through after Lugo had taken the visitors in level at the break.

Atletico took the lead in the second minute when Angel Correa tapped home Javi Galan’s cross at the back post.

However the visitors were pegged back when Puerto Rican striker Leandro Antonetti bundled his way into the area and finished with aplomb.

Diego Simeone sent on Antoine Griezmann at half-time, bidding to avoid an upset, and Atletico took the lead midway through the second half through Depay.

The striker found space in the box and smashed home, going on to quickly add a second goal with a superb clipped finish from Marcos Llorente’s cross.