Real Madrid gifted themselves a dominant victory on Three Kings Day, defeating Deportiva Minera 0-5 at the Cartagonova Stadium to secure a spot in the Copa del Rey round of 16. The goals came from Fede Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, Luka Modric, and a brace from Arda Güler, who shone in a match dominated by the less frequent starters of the white squad.

The Deportiva Minera, a Segunda RFEF team, had reached this stage after eliminating Deportivo Alavés in the previous round, but they were no match for Madrid’s superiority. Valverde opened the scoring in the 5th minute after a defensive error, and Camavinga doubled the lead in the 13th with a header assisted by Fran García. The first half was a complete Madrid show, ending 0-3 thanks to Güler, who scored with an impressive solo play.

Madrid maintained their intensity in the second half. Modric netted the fourth goal with a classy finish, as the local fans applauded the Croatian's every move. Fran Martínez, Minera’s goalkeeper, made several crucial saves to prevent an even larger defeat, as the visitors created wave after wave of attacking chances.

The impact of substitutions

Carlo Ancelotti made changes in the second half, bringing on Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappé, Lucas Vázquez, and academy player Chema Andrés, which helped maintain control of the match. Güler completed his brace with an assist from Fran García, following a move initiated by Mbappé, solidifying his status as one of the game’s standout performers.

Despite the numerous chances created, Endrick Felipe was unable to score, showing some frustration toward the end. However, the young Brazilian striker was instrumental in the offensive press and displayed flashes of brilliance throughout the match.

Real Madrid advances to the round of 16 in emphatic fashion and now turns their focus to the Spanish Super Cup semifinals against Real Mallorca in Saudi Arabia, where they aim to continue showcasing their excellent form.