Morata and Asensio inspire Real to comfortable Copa win

Posted Thursday, October 27, 2016 by Marca.com

Real Madrid made light work of Cultural Leonesa in their Copa del Rey Fourth Round first-leg as Alvaro Morata and Marco Asensio both grabbed braces to give Zinedine Zidane's men a 7-1 win.

Those four, plus a Gianni Zuiverloon own-goal, Nacho strike and late Mariano header leaves little hope for La Cultu ahead of the return match at the Estadio Bernabeu on November 30.

Benja Martinez did have an evening to remember as he volleyed home late on to give Leonesa a much deserved consolation, with his seventh of the season.

Morata has been in good form of late, scoring in his last two Los Blancos appearances - against Athletic Club and Legia Warsaw - despite not appearing in the starting eleven since Madrid's match with Las Palmas in late September.

Things didn't start well for the home side who found themselves a goal down after just five minutes when a Toni Kroos set piece was diverted into his own net by Zuiverloon.

Leonesa were a threat at times during the opening exchanges with Julen Colinas having a shot blocked, before Alex Gallar combined well with Toni Villa though his shot was saved by Kiko Casilla.

Jorge Palatsi kept the score down for the opening half hour, saving from Isco, Lucas Vazquez and James Rodriguez.

Kroos did give the home team a warning when he smacked the crossbar from just outside the penalty area.

Then, on 31 minutes Madrid doubled their lead through Asensio. Vazquez's pinpoint cross is met by the 20-year-old who made no mistake from close range.

Morata and Asensio inspire Real to comfortable Copa win

Just before the break Real Madrid had a flurry of chances with Morata first being denied by Palatsi, then firing wide following good work by Asensio. James also shot high from range.

However, following the interval the floodgates opened. A minute into the second half Morata slid the ball into the bottom corner from the middle of the penalty area.

Six minutes later Asensio blasted home from 20 yards out, then just a couple of minutes afterwards Morata got his second as he met a James cross to direct the ball past Palatsi.

With Madrid getting into their stride James went close as he looked for the top right-hand corner, but Palatsi was his equal. Then not long after the hour mark, Nacho made it six slamming the ball home from a corner.

Even though Ruben De La Barrera's men were well down, they should be given credit as they still looked to create problems for the European champions and both Mario Ortiz, then Benja went close.

Galla kept Casilla busy with an effort from range, before Benja volleyed past the Madrid goalkeeper with eight minutes left.

That put Madrid on the back foot for the final few moments as Leonesa were inspired following the goal, though they were unable to add to that effort.

Mariano then added to the scoreline in time added on, heading home a Vazquez cross.