Madrid, Feb 12 (IANS) Real Madrid enjoyed a far easier passage than they could have imagined to the final of the Copa del Rey against local rivals, Atletico Madrid.
Two early penalties scored by Cristiano Ronaldo put the final result of the tie beyond doubt and gave Real Madrid a 5-0 aggregate win over the reigning Cup holders Tuesday, reports Xinhua.
The only bad news for the visitors was that Ronaldo was hit on the head by a cigarette lighter thrown from the crowd as he made his way towards the dressing room at the end of the first half.
Travelling across town on the back of a 3-0 home win against Atletico a week ago, Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti took few chances, playing virtually his strongest starting 11, while Atletico coach, Diego Simeone, who was without the injured David Villa and the suspended Diego Costa made changes to his side resting important players such as Gabi Fernandez and Diego Godin.
Real Madrid knew an away goal would leave Atletico needing to score five goals to progress to the final and that goal duly arrived after just seven minutes when Javier Manquillo brought Ronaldo down from behind.
Raul Garcia was unlucky to hit the post for Atletico a couple of minutes later, but the fact was that Atletico now needed five goals to qualify and that soon became six.
Real’s second goal again came from the penalty spot after Emiliano Insua, who had struggled at the Bernabeu a week ago, committed another clumsy challenge on Gareth Bale.
Ronaldo put his second penalty of the night in the same place as the first to end any doubts over which side would make it to the final.
