Madrid, January 10 (IANS): Vinicius Junior scored a goaland assisted on another in Real Madrid's 3-0 victory over Leganes inround-of-16 action in the Copa del Rey, Spain's annual knockout footballcompetition.
The Blancos on Wednesday got off to a frustrating startat Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, with Karim Benzema squandering two early chanceson a shot over the crossbar and a bouncing header into the arms of goalkeeperCuellar, reports Efe news.
But Leganes also had a missed opportunity to rue whengoalkeeper Keylor Navas dove to his left to save a powerful header by strikerMartin Braithwaite.
Late in the first half, the Blancos' Alvaro Odriozolamade his presence felt in the opposing goal area.
After a bizarre decision to pass instead of shoot in aone-on-one chance against Cuellar, he won a penalty just before first-halfstoppage time when he was taken down by defender Rodri Tarin in the area.
Sergio Ramos then converted from the 12-yard mark to giveReal Madrid a 1-0 lead heading into the intermission.
That advantage did wonders for the home side's confidenceand level of play in the second half.
Although Vinicius missed out on a couple of chances toscore, Real Madrid's constant pressure led to the second goal in the 69thminute.
On the play, Benzema capitalized on a defensive error totake possession of the ball in the area and pass off to Vinicius, who set upLucas Vasquez for an easy score into a virtually empty net.
The final goal came off the foot of Vinicius, whovolleyed home a pass from Odriozola in the 77th minute.
Leganes will have a massive hill to climb when they hostthe second leg of this Copa del Rey round-of-16 series at Butarque Municipal Stadiumon January 16.
