40 minutes into the game and Madrid fans were left with little hopes. However, Ancelotti’s men never gave up. It was a crucial moment that they had to do something to show that Madrid always has a great spirit. And that’s what they did! Real Madrid have booked their place in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals. The White Team headed into the half-time break 2-0 down at the Estadio de la Cerámica after Capoue and Chukwueze had put the home side ahead, but a remarkable second-half turnaround saw Vini Jr., and Militão level, before Ceballos completed the job on 86’.
Coming into this game after the Spanish Super Cup final defeat to Barcelona, Carlo Ancelotti and his team were eager to avoid another upset and get back to winning ways, putting out a strong team for the fixture. The game’s main features were a 1st half where Madrid was confused and Villarreal was accurate and a 2nd half where Madrid did everything to turn the game in their favor while Villarreal struggled to cope with the power of the Whites. Everyone knew that a positive result was more than needed to bring back Real Madrid back to life, but the way it happened made it even more beautiful: winning with a comeback in such a difficult period double boosts the morale!
The game could hardly have got off to a worse start. Villarreal were in front after only four minutes, as Capoue found the net. The madridista response came six minutes later, when Mendy found Valverde, who shot over the bar from inside the box. The game was being played at a break-neck pace and the chances were flowing. Villarreal came close again when Capoue darted into the box and pulled the ball across to Yeremy Pino on 18' but the forward failed to find the target.
Madrid were looking to force their way back into the game and could have done so twice in quick succession with Mendy in the thick of the action. First, the Frenchman's right-footed shot ended up in Jorgensen's gloves with 34 minutes gone, and later, he pulled the ball back to Rodrygo, whose effort was cleared off the line by Pau Torres. The visitors were really up against it just before half-time, when a potential 1-1 quickly turned into 2-0 when Chukwueze had the ball in the net on 42’.
Real Madrid pushed up higher early in the second half and successfully cut the deficit as the high press saw them win the ball back time and again, before it eventually yielded results. Ceballos, who had just come on for Kroos, was the provider, and Vini Jr. the scorer on 57’. Our team continued to attack and Asensio, who replaced Rodrygo, tried his luck on 68 minutes but his free-kick was kept out by the home goalkeeper's superb diving stop. One minute later and the game was all square. Ceballos crossed for Benzema to head towards goal, Jorgensen kept it out, but Militão was on hand to turn the ball into the net.
With the tie level again, our team looked fresher than Villarreal now. Indeed, the winner appeared imminent and it could well have been 2-3 on 76 when Vini Jr. found Camavinga's run, but the midfielder shot wide when through on goal. With 86 minutes on the clock, the pressure paid off, as Asensio pulled the ball back and Ceballos' precise finish left Jorgensen with no chance. It was a imperous performance by the Andalusian midfielder, setting up the opener, being involved in the second with the cross for Benzema and scoring the third.
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