Real Madrid finished comfortable winners of their third round second leg tie with minnows Terrassa in the Spanish Cup yesterday.
They won 4-2 at the Bernabeu and 7-5 on aggregate. Madrid coach Vincente Del Bosque again fielded a second-string side in this competition, with only club captain Fernando Hierro a first choice player in the starting line-up. No matter: they were ahead on 21 minutes when former Barcelona midfielder Albert Celades scored the first of the game.
The Spanish giants went further ahead in the first half when Guti was brought down in the box. Veteran Hierro, who bleeds the white of Madrid, stroked home the penalty.
It was not all plain sailing in the second half though. Terrassa striker Monty cracked one in from outside the area on 67 minutes. Madrid, mindful of how the striker had scored two to help the second division side to a shock 3-3 draw in the first leg, began to wobble.
Indeed, reserve ‘keeper Cesar had to deny another Monty effort minutes later to keep Madrid on top. After they had settled, McManaman, giving an accomplished performance in midfield, set up a third Real goal for young forward Portillo, before scoring himself with five minutes left.
Cristian’s late free kick beat Cesar for Terrassa’s second, but it was little consolation in the end.
Real are the first side through to the quarter-finals, with the remaining places being decided later today.
