Result: Unionistas 1-3 Real Madrid
Date: 22 January 2020
Venue: Pistas del Helmantico
Real Madrid joined FC Barcelona in the next round of the Copa Del Rey with a 3-1 victory over Unionistas on Wednesday night.
Zinedine Zidane came with the tried and tested, as Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema, Marcelo and Casemiro all started against the lower-tier outfit.
Real were ahead after 18 minutes when Juan Gongora cleared Marcelo's cross off the line only as far as Bale, who needed no second invitation as the ball bobbled into the net.
The hosts fancied their chances despite trailing their more illustrious opponents, as Gongora's free-kick on the half-hour mark caused some panic amongst in the Los Blancos defence.
Real made a slow start to the second half after a decent opening spell, as Brahim Diaz replaced Bale in the 53rd minute while Alvaro Romero was introduced for the hosts two minutes later.
The changed paid dividends for the hosts as Romero clawed the home third-tier side level after capitalising on a slip from Eder Militao to get the better of Alphonse Areola.
However, Real regained control on 62 minutes through a stroke of good fortune from Marcelo's free-kick which rolled through to the far post, with Gongora slotting to his own net after trying to clear.
The encounter almost took another twist minutes later when a three-against-three counterattack from Unionistas released De La Nava who brought Areola to a finger-tip save.
The contest was eventually settled right at the death when Diaz ran on to a quick breakaway to collect a ball from Vincius Junior for an easy finish and progression to the next round.
