Madrid's Late Drama Sends Real through to Copa del Rey Last 16

Match Recap

Real Madrid reached the Copa del Rey Round of 16 with a 3-2 victory over Talavera, a third-division side, in the Round of 32.

Mbappé scored twice and Manuel Varando added an own goal in the 41st minute, 45+1, and 88th, while Talavera answered through Arujo and Gonzalo De Renzo in the 80th and 90+1st minutes.

Madrid lined up with the Frenchman Mbappé starting, alongside Endrick and Argentine Franco Mastantuno. The full lineup was as follows:

Goalkeeper: Andriy Lunin

Defence: Fran Garcia - Álvaro Carriero(s) - Dien Huissen - Jímenez

Midfield: Arda Güler - Dani Ceballos - Franco Mastantuno

Attack: Endrick - Kylian Mbappé - Gonzalo García

As for the key moment, referee Guillermo Cuadra Fernández awarded Real Madrid a penalty in the 41st minute, which drew protests from Talavera players.

Talavera players vocally contested the decision, insisting defender Marcos Moreno did not deliberately handle the ball, his arm natural and close to his body by their view.

Pavel Fernandez, the refereeing expert for Radio Marca, commented on the call: "Moreno’s hand is in a natural position, the arm close to the body, not a clear foul."

And here are the goals of Real Madrid vs Talavera:

Video highlights are available on YouTube for those who want to relive the drama.

Here are the goals of the match: Mbappé’s brace, the own goal by Varando, and Talavera’s replies from Arujo and De Renzo.

Video highlights aside, the result stands and Real Madrid march on in the cup, proving once again that it’s not over until the final whistle.

Punchline 1: If suspense had a scoreboard, this one would need extra time and a coffee break.

Punchline 2: Madrid won 3-2, which may just be the only time you’ll see a third-division club make Real Madrid’s fans reach for the timer and a snack at the same moment.