Sports
Report, result and goals as Los Blancos struggle against third-tier opponents
Los Blancos were keen to avoid any upsets from their third-tier opponents tonight
Real Madrid were pushed all the way by third-division Talavera before securing a 3-2 win in a dramatic Copa del Rey tie in Toledo, surviving late pressure and a remarkable stoppage-time scare to avoid an upset.
The visitors dominated possession from the outset but were met by an organised and energetic Talavera side that defended with intensity and threatened on the counter.
Early chances fell Madrid’s way, with Kylian Mbappe denied twice by an outstanding Guillermo Gonzalez, while Endrick and Gonzalo Garcia were also repelled during a sustained spell of pressure.
Talavera were far from passive and created several openings of their own, most notably through Nahuel Moreno and Gonzalo Di Renzo.
Moreno forced Andriy Lunin into a sharp save with a header, while Di Renzo struck narrowly wide after muscling his way through the Madrid defence.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 41st minute in unfortunate circumstances for the hosts. A corner was headed onto Moreno’s arm, and Mbappe calmly converted the resulting penalty.
Madrid doubled their lead just before the interval when a low cut-back from Mbappe deflected off Manuel Farrando and into his own net, giving the visitors a 2-0 advantage that flattered them slightly at the break.
Second half
Madrid asserted greater control after half-time, pinning Talavera deeper and limiting their counter-attacking threat.
Gonzalez continued to impress in goal, denying Arda Guler from a free-kick and keeping his side within reach. Mbappe missed a clear chance to extend the lead midway through the half, firing wide from close range after an incisive pass from Endrick.
However, Talavera refused to fade.
A few minutes later, a flowing move down the right saw Farrando deliver across the face of goal for Nahuel Arroyo to finish from an angle, igniting the home crowd.
Deep into stoppage time, Jude Bellingham conceded a free-kick in a dangerous position, and although the initial effort struck the crossbar, Di Renzo reacted quickest to smash home the rebound and make it 3-2.
Talavera nearly forced a historic equaliser with seconds remaining when a cross ricocheted off Navarro and appeared destined for the net, only for Lunin to produce a stunning goal-line save to preserve Madrid’s lead.
