Real Madrid welcomed Cornella to the Bernabeu in the second leg of their last-32 Copa del Rey clash on Tuesday.
Los Blancos entered the match as the firm favourites to advance following a 4-1 win in the first leg.
Cornella had a glorious chance to take the lead early on, but Xavi Boniquet fired his penalty into the stands. Moments later, the home side had the lead courtesy of James Rodriguez.
Isco and James made it two and then three in the latter stages of the half, to leave Real with a 7-1 aggregate lead at the break.
An own goal from Borja Lopez made it 4-0 Real Madrid just past the hour, before Jese Rodriguez scored a fifth after 77 minutes.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's Copa del Rey coverage continues from the Bernabeu as Real Madrid welcome Cornella. Los Blancos were 4-1 winners in the first leg in October – making it an almost impossible task for Cornella tonight. Right, let me bring you up-to-speed with the team news.
TEAMS
REAL: Pacheco; Arbeloa, Varane, Nacho, Coentrao; Illarramendi, Khedira, Medran; James, Isco, Chicharito
CORNELLA: Inigo; Pere, Borja, Pelegri, Israel; David, Luis, Gomez; Munoz, Gallar, Boniquet
So there we have it. As expected, Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has rung the changes this evening, with Fernando Pacheco and Alvaro Medran among those coming into the side. There are also starts for Javier Hernandez, Sami Khedira and Fabio Coentrao, who have all been short of football this season.
The visitors, meanwhile, will seemingly line up in a 4-3-3 formation. Oscar Munoz, Alex Gallar and Xavier Boniquet all start for Cornella. There is also a spot in the middle of midfield for Sergio Gomez.
As mentioned, the first leg at the end of October ended in a 4-1 Real Madrid win. Raphael Varane scored twice for the European champions at the Power8 Stadium, while Marcelo and Javier Hernandez were also on the scoresheet for the visitors. In truth, it was ever so comfortable for the capital side.
In truth, Real Madrid could not be entering this match in better form. The La Liga leaders have won their last 16 games in all competitions, with that run of form seeing them advance into the knockout stage of the Champions League and top their domestic table by two points.
The home side will enter this match off the back of a 2-1 win over Malaga at the weekend, with that result confirming their place at the top of La Liga. They are of course also the holders of the Copa del Rey after beating Barcelona in the final of the competition last season.
Cornella, meanwhile, have had slightly different fortunes this season. The Segunda B side currently sit 12th in their domestic table and enter the match off the back of a 6-2 defeat to Atletico Baleares at the weekend. They have not won in the league since beating Elche's second team at the end of October.
Cornella have never been above the Segunda B in their history, with their presence in the third tier confirmed last season after they topped the Tercera Division. In truth, this match will be more about experience than actual progression into the next round. Sorry to dampen it!
PREDICTION! Cornella have absolutely nothing to lose, but they will not want to tide a serious hiding this evening. Madrid are without a number of key players, but still have such quality in their XI. I am backing the home side to emerge comfortable 4-0 winners, with Hernandez among the goals.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. Not a full house inside the stadium, but there is a good atmosphere. It is the home side that get the first 45 minutes underway.
As expected, the home side have taken control of the possession in the opening couple of minutes, with the likes of Isco and Khedira both getting on the ball. Can Cornella find a way to affect this match?
Arbeloa breaks forward down the right for the home side before collecting a pass from Khedira, but the right-back was in an offside position. Cornella have managed to gain some possession in the last couple of minutes, but their passing is in areas that will not harm Real Madrid in any way.
Just a reminder that Real Madrid are currently 4-1 ahead from the first leg - making it an almost impossible task for the away side this evening. Coentrao drives down the left before delivering towards Hernandez, but Pelegri is on hand to make the clearance. No real clear chances thus far.
The home side have the chance to break as Isco steals possession before finding Hernandez, but the Mexican cannot slide a pass into James. Still waiting for the first real chance of the match, but Real Madrid are dictating the tempo and threatening in wide areas of the field.
CHANCE! The first real chance of the match arrives to Hernandez as Isco drives down the left before delivering towards the Mexican, but the striker just cannot make contact.
Couple of half-chances for the home side in quick succession, but Hernandez has a header deflected over for a corner, before Medran curls one high and wide from outside the box. Still goalless here.
Slightly untidy period of the match in the last couple of minutes, with a number of late challenges arriving, but the referee has allowed the play to flow. Coentrao wants a penalty after calling for handball inside the box, but once more the official shakes his head. Cornella continue to hold out here.
PENALTY CORNELLA!
Oh my word! Cornella have a penalty as Arbeloa brings Boniquet to the ground inside the box with a poor challenge. What on earth was the defender thinking?! Boniquet will take...
MISS! Oh my word Boniquet has hit the stands with his rising effort!
What an opportunity for the visitors, but Boniquet has blown his big moment in the capital.
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Cornella (James)
Super, super goal from the home side as Isco slides a pass into James, who chips his effort over the goalkeeper. That is how you finish - stunning work from the excellent Colombian attacker.
The home side are in complete control at the moment, with Isco and Khedira both controlling the ball in the middle of the park. You have to fear for Cornella at this stage. They must avoid a real hiding.
Cornella are not going to advance into the next round - sorry Cornella fans - but they will want to put on a good show this evening. They have not really been allowed to have the ball since the home side took the lead, however, with Coentrao and Arbeloa almost playing as wingers in an attacking formation.
Just a reminder that Jese is on the bench this evening. The Spaniard has not played for Real Madrid since suffering a serious knee injury in March, but is expected to feature in the second period. The likes of Diego Llorente and Jaime Sanchez are also on the bench for the European champions in Madrid.
Boniquet has been bright for the away side this evening, but the likes of Alex Gallar and Oscar Munoz have struggled to make their mark. Hernandez continues to take up good positions for Real Madrid, but the Mexican has been too selfish on a number of occasions in the final third.
A loose pass from Varane almost puts Real Madrid in trouble, but Arbeloa comes across to clear the danger. The home side have been a little wasteful in possession this evening, which has given Cornella encouragement. Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining and the score remains 1-0.
Half-chance for the home side as Nacho finds some space outside the box, but his effort was always rising high and wide of the crossbar. Nacho has never scored for Real Madrid and it is no surprise!
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side as Coentrao finds some space inside the box before squaring to Hernandez, but Pelegri is on hand to make a vital clearance.
GOAL! Real Madrid 2-0 Cornella (Isco)
The home side have their second of the match as James rolls a low pass into the path of Isco, who lifts his effort into the back of the net. Isco and James have been the two stars thus far.
GOAL! Real Madrid 3-0 Cornella (James)
It is raining goals! Real Madrid have their fourth as a clever flick from Hernandez finds James, who curls one into the bottom corner. It is too easy for Los Blancos it must be said.
Some of the defending from the visitors has been very, very suspect and that is being kind.
The home side are threatening to run riot at the moment as Coentrao and Arbeloa both deliver low balls into the box, but the visitors manage to clear at the vital moment. Garcia leads a break for Cornella, but is brought to the ground by Illarramendi, who has looked off the pace thus far.
BOOKING! Illarramendi is booked for that poor challenge.
It is almost like a training match at the moment as Real Madrid continue to dominate the ball in the final third and Cornella attempting to flood the defensive areas. Just a reminder that the home side currently lead this match 7-1 on aggregate following a 4-1 win in the first leg in October.
Cornella have managed to enjoy a period of possession in the last couple of moments, but they are not really threatening to take the lead, with the home side utterly dominating the midfield battle.
Real Madrid continue to threaten in wide positions as the ball is worked wide to Arbeloa, but the right-back cannot pick out a teammate inside the box. Almost at the interval here.
HALF-TIME: Real Madrid 3-0 (7-1) Cornella
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with Real Madrid leading 3-0 courtesy of a brace from James and clever finish from Isco. The visitors had the chance to take the lead on the night early on, but Boniquet fired his penalty into the stands after being brought down by Arbeloa.
BENCH WATCH! The headline news on the Real Madrid bench is that Jese Rodriguez is available this evening. The likes of Diego Llorente and Jaime Sanchez are also in reserve for Madrid. Cornella, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Garcia, Trujillo and Caballe.
Just a reminder that Real Madrid won the first leg 4-1 in October, meaning that Los Blancos lead 7-1 on aggregate. Cornella are obviously not going to advance, but will want to at least score in the second period. Boniquet has looked the most likely for the visitors, but top scorer Munoz has struggled.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second 45 minutes. Can Real Madrid make it a hiding in the second period? It is the away side that get the second period underway.
SUB! One change for the home side at the break, with Diego Lorente entering the field in place of Varane. Cornella, however, have stuck with their same XI from the first period.
Jese has been sent out to warm-up, which has brought a huge ovation from the supporters. Not too much to report in terms of action in the early stages of the second period, with the home side dominating the ball. You have to fear for Cornella as they continue to tire in the second half.
Half-chance for the home side as Hernandez finds some space inside the box before dropping his shoulder, but the striker is crowded out at the vital moment. Khedira then takes an arm in the face following a collision. It appears that the German international will be forced to leave the field.
Khedira has returned to the field for the home side, while it appears that Cornella are preparing to make two changes. In truth, this second half could do with something happening at the moment!
CHANCE! Brilliant chance for the away side to make the breakthrough as Munoz meets a low cross from Garcia, but Nacho is across to make a fine challenge. Cornella are just starting to have an influence in the second period, with Munoz coming to life on more than one occasion.
SUBS! Cornella make two changes as Trujillo and Marti replace Munoz and Garcia. Meanwhile, Khedira's night is over as the German is replaced by the returning Jese for Real Madrid.
Real Madrid have certainly dropped their level in the second period, which is inviting the away side into the match. Carlo Ancelotti will not be happy with some sloppy passing that is for certain.
GOAL! Real Madrid 4-0 Cornella (Hernandez)
The home side extend their lead as Hernandez collects a pass from Arbeloa before clipping his effort into the back of the net. It might have taken a little touch off Lopez there.
CORRECTION: Real Madrid 4-0 Cornella (Borja Lopez OG) Replays have shown that it was indeed Lopez that bundled into his own net after Hernandez had hit the bar.
Little under 30 minutes of this Copa del Rey contest remaining and the home side lead 4-0 on the night and 8-1 on aggregate. Jese's first touch brings huge cheers from the home supporters.
SUB! The home side make their final change as James is replaced by Javi Munoz.
Half-chance for the home side as Gallar strikes one from outside the box, but his effort was always straight at the Real Madrid goalkeeper. Cornella have certainly been better in the second period thus far.
Israel Delgado shows good pace to drive down the left for the away side before attempting to deliver, but Llorente is across to make the challenge. The home side are down the other end with Hernandez moments later, but the Mexican loses control at the vital moment and the danger is cleared.
Half-chance for Jese to show his pace after good work from Hernandez, but the winger cannot control and it bobbles out for a throw. Little over 20 minutes of this Copa del Rey clash remaining.
SUB! The away side make their final change as Caballe replaces Gallar.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of minutes, with both sides guilty of losing possession too easily in the final third of the field. Are there more goals in this match?
BOOKING! Munoz goes into the book for handball.
Just a reminder that both Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are in Copa del Rey action tomorrow - be sure to join me for both of those from 6.30pm. Little over 15 minutes to play at the Bernabeu and Cornella are enjoying a period of possession in the Real Madrid half of the field.
Slightly untidy period of the match in the last couple of minutes, with the referee forced to intervene following a number of late challenges. Some supporters have started to leave the stadium and in truth, there is not much of an atmosphere with little over 10 minutes of this second leg remaining.
GOAL! Real Madrid 5-0 Cornella (Jese)
Jese is back! The home side have their fifth as Isco shows wonderful balance before feeding Jese, who fires one into the bottom corner. That is a very, very popular goal at the Bernabeu!
That goal takes the score to 9-1 on aggregate, which again begs the question whether these sort of ties should take place. Should there be two legs at this early stage of the competition?
Half-chance for Medran after the midfielder finds some space outside the box, but the youngster's effort was always moving wide of the post. Real Madrid must wait for goal number six here.
In fairness to Cornella - they have tried to force the issue in the second period, but they are just a world away from the home side. The away team force another corner from the left, but Nacho is on hand to clear. One goal for the visitors would give their supporters something to shout about.
The only disappointment for the home side is that Hernandez has not yet got on the scoresheet. The Mexican has been here, there and everywhere, but it just has not happened in front of goal.
Coentrao is forward for the home side after more good work from Isco, but the left-back loses out in a challenge with Lopez. Poor defending from the visitors almost presents a clear chance to Real Madrid moments later, but Sastre manages to clear at the vital moment. The score remains 5-0.
CHANCE! Munoz comes close to scoring a sixth for the home side following excellent work from Isco, but the midfielder's effort is pushed over the crossbar by Inigo.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional two minutes.
FULL-TIME: Real Madrid 5-0 (9-1) Cornella
So there we have it. Real Madrid breeze into the last-16 stage of the Copa del Rey with a 5-0 win over Cornella this evening. Los Blancos have advanced with an aggregate score of 9-1. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
