Real Madrid missed more chances than they finished on Thursday at the Bernabéu but they still did more than enough to take the lead in their Copa del Rey Round of 16 first leg match against Osasuna. The door is still open for a second leg comeback but without an away goal, it'll be tough for Osasuna.
Real Madrid vs. Osasuna, 2014 Copa del Rey: Final score 2-0, Los Blancos take the first leg
Goals from Karim Benzema and Jesé have Real Madrid ahead in the Copa del Rey tie.
Denis Doyle
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Real Madrid appeared to get a penalty in the 16th minute after Jesé went flying over Asier Riesgo in the box. The referee initially blew the whistle and pointed to the spot, causing Osasuna players to surround him and protest. After conferring with his assistant referee he reversed the decision and instead booked Jesé for diving. While is wasn’t a penalty, it certainly wasn’t a dive either.
No matter though as less than three minutes later Real Madrid scored anyway.
Madrid earned a free kick outside the left edge of the Osauna box, allowing Luke Modrić to send an in-swinging free kick in that Karim Benzema easily went up and headed past Riesgo. Nothing fancy at all, just a solid delivery and a good finish from the Madrid striker who was given far too much space by the Osasuna defenders.
Cristiano Ronaldo twice had chances to extend the Madrid advantage, sending a free kick just wide late in the first half and behind denied a near point blank range by Riesgo in the 58th minute.
Finally the second goal came two minutes later and while he didn’t score, Ronaldo was involved.
After a horrible back pass gave the ball away to Benzema, the striker slipped a pass to Ronaldo in the middle of the Osasuna area, immediately drawing the attention of two defenders and the goalkeeper. Ronaldo unselfishly moved the ball across the box to Jesé who took a couple dribbles to round the goalkeeper before firing a low shot that made it 2-0.
Ronaldo missed another glorious opportunity shortly after the goal, missing just wide with a volley chip attempt on a long pass over the Osasuna defense.
Real Madrid: Casillas, Arbeloa, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo, Illarramendi (Casimiro 88’), Modrić, Bale, Ronaldo, Benzema (Morata 81’), Jesé (Isco 70’)
Goals: Benzema (19’), Jesé (60’)
Osasuna: Riesgo, Flaño, Sanjurjo, Damia, de las Cuevas (Maurin 68’), Arribas, Cejudo (Bertran 79’), Silva (Puñal 58’), Torres, Loe, Riera
Goals: None
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