Rey of light Rodriguez keeps Real rolling
James Rodriguez made sure Zinedine Zidane could celebrate in style on Wednesday.
Rodriguez scored twice and Zidane marked a spectacular year in charge as Real Madrid set a course for the Copa del Rey quarterfinals with a 3-0 last-16, first-leg win over Sevilla.
Not even the absence of the rested Cristiano Ronaldo could halt Real’s now 38-game unbeaten run — one shy of equaling an all-time La Liga record.
Rodriguez took advantage of ararestartbyblastinghomethe opener in the 10th minute.
Raphael Varane headed in a second and Rodriguez added Real’s third from the penalty spot before halftime.
“The first 45 minutes were physically and technically almost perfect,” said Zidane.
The margin of Real’s win will comfort Zidane, with next week’s second leg (Jan 12) looking like a formality amid a hectic schedule that could see Real play 21 times in 11 weeks.
Madrid started a second straight home game without any of its first-choice forwards as Karim Benzema was left on the bench, Ronaldo rested and Gareth Bale sidelined by a long-term ankle injury.
However, having enjoyed a 17-day break since its last match — the Club World Cup triumph over Japanese champion Kashima Antlers — Real started brightly.
“We have a great squad and the players are happy when they see their teammates who have played less getting the chance to play,” said Zidane.
“We are still missing players through injury. That is something we can’t change, but when someone else comes in and plays well the coach is always happy.”
Rodriguez claimed after being overlooked once more during the Club World Cup that he would consider his future in January, but he made the most ofararestartwithaspectacular opener after just 10 minutes.
Madrid midfielder Casemiro thundered into a tackle to dispossess Steven N’Zonzi inside Sevilla’s half and Rodriguez dispatched the loose ball off the inside of the post from long range.
Croatian playmaker Luka Modric almost rounded off a brilliant move for a second moments later, but his overhead effort flew inches wide from Dani Carvajal’s cut-back.
Real was relentless before the break and another Carvajal cross was caught on the volley from Marcelo to sting the palms of Sevilla goalkeeeper Sergio Rico.
However, from the resulting Toni Kroos corner, the unmarked Varane powered home.
Sevilla should have gotten itself back in the tie 11 minutes before the break when Joaquin Correa was played through, and after his initial strike was saved by Kiko Casilla, Vicente Iborra sliced wide.
Instead, Sevilla found itself 3-0 down at the interval as Mariano was adjudged to have pushed Modric inside the area and Colombian striker Rodriguez stepped up to convert from the spot.