Real Madrid roll to 3-0 victory over Leganes in Copa del Rey

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MADRID, Jan. 10, 2019 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior (C) competes with Leganes' Unai Bustinza (R) during the Spanish King's Cup round of 16 first leg soccer match between Real Madrid and Leganes in Madrid, Spain on Jan. 9, 2019. Real Madrid won 3-0.

Madrid,  Vinicius Junior scored a goal and assisted on another in Real Madrid’s 3-0 victory over Leganes in round-of-16 action in the Copa del Rey, Spain’s annual knockout football competition.

The Blancos on Wednesday got off to a frustrating start at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, with Karim Benzema squandering two early chances on a shot over the crossbar and a bouncing header into the arms of goalkeeper Cuellar, reports Efe news.

But Leganes also had a missed opportunity to rue when goalkeeper Keylor Navas dove to his left to save a powerful header by striker Martin Braithwaite.

Late in the first half, the Blancos’ Alvaro Odriozola made his presence felt in the opposing goal area.

After a bizarre decision to pass instead of shoot in a one-on-one chance against Cuellar, he won a penalty just before first-half stoppage time when he was taken down by defender Rodri Tarin in the area.

Sergio Ramos then converted from the 12-yard mark to give Real Madrid a 1-0 lead heading into the intermission.

That advantage did wonders for the home side’s confidence and level of play in the second half.

Although Vinicius missed out on a couple of chances to score, Real Madrid’s constant pressure led to the second goal in the 69th minute.

On the play, Benzema capitalized on a defensive error to take possession of the ball in the area and pass off to Vinicius, who set up Lucas Vasquez for an easy score into a virtually empty net.

The final goal came off the foot of Vinicius, who volleyed home a pass from Odriozola in the 77th minute.

Leganes will have a massive hill to climb when they host the second leg of this Copa del Rey round-of-16 series at Butarque Municipal Stadium on January 16.