Realmadrid News

Copa del Rey Report: Madrid Hit Five Past Ecija

The first half of the King's Cup Last 32 stage match at the Santiago Bernabéu will always be remembered by the Ecija fans for the drive, sharpness and formation of the equivalent of a Second Division team who stood up to Capello's star-studded side. In the second half, however, Real Madrid asserted their authority, bringing in the quality and skill that allowed them to score five goals. First up was David Beckham, followed by a wonderful goal by Ronaldo, two consecutive ones for Ruud Van Nistelrooy and off to a perfect finish with the magnificent fifth by youth player De la Red. The prize for the visitors: celebrating a goal at the Santiago Bernabéu.

It had been 15 days since Real Madrid's first Cup game of the season in the muddy pitch of a Second division side. Capello's boys brought back home a scant booty: a 1-1 draw against a team, Ecija, who proved they had footballing nerve and praiseworthy athleticism. The question was… would the imposing grandiosity of the Bernabéu make the Andalusians bail out? The response was evident tonight: N-O. Although Madrid were off to a strong start, attempting to move the ball and do all they were unable to in Ecija, the opponents can feel proud to say that they put on an enxhibition of attitude, sharpness and audacity on the pitch against the almighty Real Madrid.

There were a few changes in the starting eleven of the Madridistas, namely Ronaldo and Van Nistelrooy, who started out as the two target men for the first time in the season. The outset for the duo was not very optimistic, with a feeble attempt on goal by the Dutchman from the edge of the box 12 minutes into the game. Meanwhile, Sergio Ramos was again king down the right flank, becoming one of the offensive references of Real Madrid and creating danger incessantly.


The first clear opportunity of the locals was a Sevillian affair. Reyes put the cross in for the number “4” of Real Madrid, who took a point-blank shot (min.7) that should have been the first of the night, but Zigor did well to deflect it. Onwards, after the first few minutes of utter control of the Whites, chances started alternating between goals. Ecija even took command during certain phases of the first half. Beckham's effort came in the form of pot shots from medium range and Ronaldo asked for the ball incessantly, but never made it near the rival stopper.

Pepe Díaz was the Andalusian side's true beacon in offence. Requena pushed forward down the right wing, bringing intermittent danger on the goal of the Whites. Behind him, fullback Torres was unchallenged and allowed to drive the ball to try to dip it into the box of Real. With 19 minutes on the clock, the visiting team were denied the dream of getting ahead on the scoreboard at the Bernabéu: Pepe Díaz went into the box after cutting inside his man, an unfortunate Raúl Bravo, but inches away from a one on one with the keeper, he lost his balance just in front of tonight's captain, centre back Paco Pavón. No penalty was called, but Ecija's number “7” heard the loud roar of support coming from his team's fan base in the stands. The play continued, with Vega capitalising on the loose ball, but local keeper Diego López was well positioned and stopped the ball.


White thrashing
After a hard-battled first half, logic took over and Real Madrid counteracted the visitor's spirit with the individual quality of their players. In just three minutes, goals started pouring down. The first: Ronaldo brilliantly loses his man, clips it in for Van Nistelrooy –it was the first succcessful connection of the night for the attacking partnership- who tries to get past Zigor on his right, but the keeper slices a magical hand to steal the ball from the Dutch striker. To his dismay, Beckham kicks the loose ball with his left and scores the opening goal of the night.

Madrid were, of course, the big fish and the Sevillian team awoke from their dream with the second of the night, as a preamble of a grand total of five. David Beckham's first was followed by yet another perfect Van Nistelrooy-Ronaldo connection. The number “9” of the Whites put a halt to his sprint, seeing how his defenders just swished past him, turned, and with a subtle touch of his left foot, lodged a perfect ball in the bottom right corner of the opponent's net. The execution was just perfect. The third was Van Nistelorooy's from the penalty spot (min. 72), scoring his first penalty after having missed the prior two, one inthe League and the other in the Champions League just last week.

It was a real blow for the Ecija boys, who were probably showing some signs of fatigue from the overexertion of the first half. The match was split wide open and the Whites undeniably marshalled the field of play. Youth player Miguel Torres was given a chance with the locals while the visitors found their main man when Nolito, the goalscorer in Ecija, came in. It was him precisely who took a free kick and Mario headed the service 78 minutes into the match (3-1). Ecija celebrated their first goal ever at the Bernabeú in style.

The fourth was also signed off by Van Nistelrooy in the 78th minute of the encounter. It was a beautiful over-the-head shot inside the keeper's box. The perfect ending to the footballing evening was reserved to a youth player: impeccable goal by Rubén De la Red, who scored as he best knows: he whiplashed the ball from the edge of the box and put it right into the angle of Zigor's goal. Real Madrid is in the Last 16 stage of the King's Cup.



Match report by Cristina Monge
Photos by Ángel Martínez & Fernando Comeche
Transaltion by Luis Orueta

posted by khalidmrrakchi@hotmail.com @ 12:50 PM