Mueez Ajao
– A second-string Real Madrid side edged fourth-tier CP Cacereno 1-0 in the Copa del Rey last 32 with a late goal from Rodrygo as they bid for their first triumph in the competition since 2014.
– Real manager Carlo Ancelotti made nine changes to the team that won 2-0 at Real Valladolid on Friday, resting several key players including Karim Benzema and Vinícius Junior.
– Real went into the break locked at 0-0 versus Cacereno, with a crowded stadium seeing little action in the opening period.
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– It took 69 minutes for Real to break the deadlock when Rodrygo eluded the Cacereno defence to get into the box where he elegantly placed his shot into the top-right corner.
– The Santos youth product celebrated by honouring the late Pele, replicating his iconic punch in the air.
– Cacereno mounted a late push to get an equaliser, but Real went into defensive mode and ran down the clock.
🏁 FT: @CPCacerenoSAD 0-1 @realmadriden
⚽ @RodrygoGoes 69'#CopaDelRey | #Emirates pic.twitter.com/kyrT0Qr5z2
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) January 3, 2023
