Real Madrid progress in the Spanish Cup after overcoming Real Murcia
Real Madrid progressed to the last 16 of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday 10 November after beating Real Murcia 5–1 in the second leg of the teams' fourth-round encounter.
Esteban Granero and Gonzalo Higuain put the hosts in front before half time, after which goals from Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Xabi Alonso delighted the seldom-pleased home crowd.
Pedro Sanchez's 82nd-minute penalty only provided consolation for the visitors.
"The fans can go home happy and now we'll see who we get in the next round," said Mourinho after being sent to the stands for allegedly insulting referee Paradas Romero in the 38th minute. "I was not surprised
by my team. We played a serious game and we were intense and mentally prepared. It was a good game for the fans."
Controversial strike from Higuain
Real took the lead in the fourth minute of the first half, when Pedro Leon fed Granero on the edge of the box for the Spaniard to hit a sweetly struck shot high into the right corner of the goal.
Shortly before half time, Higuain found the net after a corner to the disappointment of the Murcia players, who thought Sergio Ramos had obstructed keeper Daniel Hernandez Santos from his offside position
on the goal line.
Despite the team's 2–0 lead, the spoilt home crowd booed their team at the end of the first half, seemingly demanding more attractive football from Real.
The fans eventually got what they wanted, but had to wait until the 78th minute for Real to add another goal to the scoresheet.
Alonso spread the ball to Angel di Maria on the right flank, who curled a precise cross towards the far post for Ronaldo to steal in and score his 13th goal of the season.
Alonso handles and scores
Seven minutes after helping set up the third goal, Alonso handled the ball in the Real box to earn Murcia a penalty kick. Pedro stepped up to send Iker Casillas the wrong way.
Shortly thereafter, it was Real's turn to score a penalty after di Maria went down at the end of a mazy run down the left.
Benzema, who was backed to score by Mourinho ahead of the game, showed his confidence as he slotted the ball into high into the left corner.
Another set piece added Real's fifth goal, when Alonso hit a free kick low into the right corner from 25 yards after which Mourinho, acknowledging the game as finished, headed down the players' tunnel
before the final whistle.
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