Segunda B Group 3 outfit Alcoyano welcomed La Liga champions Real Madrid in the fourth round of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday looking to continue their six-match winning streak.
However, Madrid took a two-goal lead in the second period following strikes from Karim Benzema and Kaka.
Jose Rodriguez added a third in the second half to open up a three-goal lead, but Javier Lara struck a powerful free kick to open the home side's tally late on.
There was to be one last strike, however, and it was Benzema who scored his second of the evening to secure a 4-1 lead ahead of the second leg.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary below.
Good evening all! Well Deportivo Alvares could not record an upset against Barcelona last night, but now our focus switches to Alcoyano for arguably the biggest match in their recent history.
Despite the obvious gap between the two clubs, the home side enter the match in a strong run of form. As mentioned, they have won their last six games in a row and have managed a clean sheet in each of their last three league fixtures. We are expecting the team news in the next couple of minutes.
Teams:
Alcoyano: Alba; Alcantara, Selvas, Arkaitz, Tacon; Pereira, De Dios, Lara, Remon; Mosquera, Torres
Real Madrid: Adan; Albiol, Carvalho, Varane, Nacho; Alex, Kaka, Essien, Callejon; Benzema, Morata
So there we have it. Both managers name strong teams this evening. Asier Garitano's side were relegated from the Spanish Segunda Division after finishing 21st last season. Meanwhile, they have played just four seasons in La Liga since 1929 which shows the task that is ahead of them in this two-legged affair.
However, they can boast a recent piece of history over Madrid. They finished above the Spanish champions in the 1947/48 season, but the following forty years they spent in the lower regions of Spanish football. This is why the Copa del Rey is such a worthwhile competition. For games like tonight.
It is understood that extra seating was installed at their stadium this week to meet demand for tickets and the club's president has called it the biggest game in their history. No pressure for the players then!
In their way is a Madrid side that have recovered from an early season blip. The last time Madrid exited this stage of the Copa del Rey was in the 2009/10 season when they beaten 4-1 over two legs by Alcorcon.
However, Los Blancos have won the competition 18 times as well as finishing as runners-up on 19 occasions. Add that to the 32 league titles they have won and nine European Cups and you get an idea of the task facing the home side this evening.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of kickoff. My prediction for the match is a 3-0 win for Madrid. They have named a strong side this evening.
Handshakes? Check. Flags exchanged? Check. Let's get this Copa del Rey encounter underway. Can the home side pull off the unthinkable?
Here we go then. Alcoyano kick us off on this mild evening in Spain. Kaka - who has been in fine for for Madrid recently - captains the Spanish champions.
Early pressure from the home side as Carvalho misses his header in defence. However, Adan is on hand to clear the danger. The former Chelsea defender has hardly had a kick thus far this season.
Alcoyano have started this match with a really decent tempo. They launch an attack once more as Lara finds Remon, but the danger is cleared. The home supporters are in good voice this evening.
Still the home side force the issue with a couple of early corners, but Adan stands strong to punch the danger clear. Meanwhile, we have not seen anything from Kaka and Co thus far.
Are Madrid playing in Blue this evening? The home side continue to force the issue with Torres causing problems with his presence. Meanwhile, Madrid are still waiting for their first real attack.
Finally Madrid quell the early danger with a period of possession themselves. However, they have offered nothing in terms of an attacking threat thus far. Impressive start from Alcoyano.
It's pass, pass, pass from Madrid at the moment with Essien, Callejon and Kaka all involved. However, Morata has been starved off the ball in the final third. Nice tempo to the match early on.
Half-chance for the home side as Tacon whips a dangerous ball into the box, but Albiol is on hand to clear the danger. End-to-end stuff at the moment.
It just isn't quite happening for Madrid at the moment. They are enjoying more possession, but there is too big a gap between their midfield and attack. Alcoyano are comfortable.
Tacon remains a threat for Alcoyano as he continues to drive down the wing. However, Albiol has quelled the danger thus far. There has been no real chances for either side in the opening 18 minutes.
It's good play from Madrid as Benzema and Essien combine in the attacking third. However, Arkaitz stands strong to clear the danger.
Chance! Best chance of the match for the home side as Torres pounces in the penalty area, but the danger is cleared and now Madrid attack.
GOAL! Alcoyano 0-1 Madrid (Benzema)
Madrid lead as Benzema pounces on a Morata header in the box to head home from close range. It is against the run of play.
You cannot say that it had been coming. Alcoyano have enjoyed the better of this match. However, this is what happens at the top level of football.
Suddenly it's all Madrid as Kaka searches out Callejon in the box, but they just cannot find a way through a tight defence. The Spanish champions are in control of this match now.
The match has just become ever so scrappy in the past few moments with both sides exchanging possession in midfield. Everything is through the middle.
Alcoyano are just struggling in this match at the moment. Half-chance for Madrid as Kaka searches out the run of Benzema, but Alba is on hand to collect the danger.
Madrid have the ball in the back of the net as Morata converts from close range. However, he was a yard offside when he collected a Kaka pass. The young striker looks lively.
Little over 10 minutes remaining of the first period and still Madrid dominate possession. The opening goal really took it out of the home side. They have struggled since then.
GOAL! Alcoyano 0-2 Madrid (Kaka)
Madrid move two ahead as Kaka finds the bottom corner with a cool finish from inside the box.
Alcoyano need to settle down before the break. It is simply all Madrid at the moment as they flood forward in numbers. This tie could be over before the break.
Half-chance for the home side as Torres strikes a long-range effort. However, it was always moving wide of the post. Little over five minutes of the half remaining.
Another opening for the home side as Remon pounces on a loose ball inside the box, but his effort is straight at Adan. They just need some sort of hope here.
The match has just become ever so scrappy in the past few moments with both sides giving possession away. Not a great deal happening in terms of chances.
Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional one minute of added time. Madrid have possession as we approach the interval.
Alcoyano 0-2 Real Madrid
So there we have it. Goals from Benzema and Kaka hand Madrid a 2-0 lead at the interval. The home side started the match well, but they have struggled since falling behind.
It is quite similiar to the Barcelona match last night. The home side have showed some nice spells of passing, but they have just not had the quality to trouble their opponents.
I would expect to see Jesus and Jose for Madrid in the second period. Meanwhile, Alcoyano just need to settle with the ball in the early stages. Stay with us for the second 45 minutes which is around five minutes away.
Here we go then. The home side kick us off in the second half. Can they pull an early goal back? It is so important that they do not concede in the next five or so minutes.
Change for Madrid as Jose comes on in place of Alex. Meanwhile, the home side have started the second period on the attack.
Half-chance for Alcoyano as Lara and Torres combine in attack. However, Albiol is on hand to clear the danger as Madrid set up an attack of their own.
The match is ever so scrappy at the moment as both sides give away a host of free kicks in midfield. Nacho has shown that he is not afraid to tackle for Madrid. Mourinho will not mind that commitment.
Chance! Big opportunity for the home side as Torres whips a dangerous cross into the penalty area, but Essien rises to clear the danger for a corner - which is also cleared.
Change for the home side as De Dios is replaced by Omar. Can he inspire his side in the remaining 30 minutes? They are in desperate need of some inspiration.
Still Alcoyano pressure Madrid in their own half, but the elusive final ball has deserted them thus far. But they keep on coming and should gain great credit for that.
Change for Madrid as Luka Modric replaces Essien. Not a bad sub to bring on I suppose! Madrid need a spark at the moment. Their attacking threat has disappeared in this second period.
Chance! Again Alcoyano come close with a long-range effort from Torres, but the danger is gathered by Adan. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining.
Finally Madrid spark into life as Callejon advances into the opposing penalty area, but his pass is too long for Kaka. Mourinho's side are playing this match in first gear.
Chance! Alcoyano again come close as Torres meets an Omar corner, but the striker heads just wide of the post. They are getting closer.
GOAL! Alcoyano 0-3 Madrid (Jose)
Madrid take a three-goal lead as Jose curls an effort into the top corner. Fine finish from the youngster.
Right, we have 20 minutes of football remaining in this Copa del Rey tie. Alcoyano have offered a threat, but Madrid are just so comfortable. Meanwhile, change for the home side as Devesa replaces Tacon.
Madrid continue to pass and probe in their own half. It is almost like a training match and so similiar to the Barcelona match last night.
Half-chance for the home side as Torres strikes an effort from inside the box, but Adan collects the danger. Meanwhile, Morata fires just wide down the other end.
GOAL! Alcoyano 1-3 Real Madrid (Lara)
Alcoyano finally open their tally as Lara whips a fine free kick into the bottom corner. They deserve that goal.
It has just given them some sort of hope. Another goal before the end of the 90 minutes would give them something to take into the second leg.
Right, we have little under 10 minutes remaining and Alcoyano are on the attack. Madrid have not played well this evening make no mistake about that.
Decent spell of possession for the home side as Torres finds Omar on the right, but once more the final ball is just lacking and Adan clears the danger. Is there another goal in this one?
It's so sloppy from Madrid as they hand possession away time and time again. But the difference in the quality of the finishing is there for all to see.
Half-chance for Kaka to score Madrid's fourth as he dances into the opposing penalty area, but Selvas clears the danger at the vital moment. No real chances for either side in the past few moments.
GOAL! Alcoyano 1-4 Madrid (Benzema)
Madrid have their fourth of the evening as Benzema gathers a Kaka pass before converting from close range.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional two minutes. Will we have late drama? It does not appear so as Madrid control possession in their own half.
Alcoyano 1-4 Real Madrid
So there we have it. Madrid will take a 4-1 lead into the second leg after a comfortable win over Alcoyano. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Goodnight!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
