3rd-tier Alcoyano humiliate Madrid

Madrid, Jan. 21: Real Madrid suffered an extraordinary defeat in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday as La Liga’s reigning champions lost 12 to Alcoyano, who play in Spain’s third tier and had a man sent off in extra-time.

Zinedine Zidane threw on the likes of Eden Hazard, Karim Benzema and Toni Kroos as substitutes, while Alcoyano’s Ramon Lopez was sent off in the 109th minute for a late challenge on Casemiro.

But against all the odds, Alcoyano still scored the winner, Juanan diverting in at the near post to pull off an incredible upset that continues a worrying dip in form for Madrid.

After a surprise loss to Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish Super Cup semifinal last week, Madrid have now responded with an embarrassing exit in the cup.

Alcoyano were comfortable in the first period but Madrid scored with their first chance on the stroke of half-time as Marcelo’s delivery to the back post found a diving Eder Militao, who headed in.

But Madrid still laboured in the second half, even after Benzema replaced Mariano Diaz, and Alcoyano equalised in the 82nd minute, a corner flicked on by Lopez to the back post, where the sleeping Vinicius allowed Solbes a simple finish.

Lucas Vazquez went close with a late header and then Madrid could have had a penalty when Angel booted Militao in a scramble in the box.

But without VAR to check, Alcoyano survived.

AP Alcoyano’s Jose Solbes (left) and Real Madrid’s Mariano Diaz jump for a high ball during their Spanish Copa del Rey Round of 32 match at the El Collao stadium in Alcoy, Spain, on Wednesday. Alcoyano won 2-1. —