Madrid mow down minnows

Madrid, Dec. 7: Marco Asensio and Francisco “Isco” Alarcon were the big winners in a match that had little at stake for Real Madrid.

The pair made the most of their chances in a secondstring Madrid team on Thursday, scoring two goals each in a 6- 1 rout of third division Melilla in the Copa del Rey.

Javi Sanchez and Vinicius Junior also netted as the European champion advanced to the last16 stage 10- 1 on aggregate after having won the first leg 4- 0 in the small Spanish enclave in Africa.

Asensio and Isco used to have bigger roles for Madrid but haven’t been getting many first- team opportunities under new coach Santiago Solari.

Vinicius played well throughout and claimed his second goal for Madrid with a shot from inside the area in the 75th minute at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

Isco was a starter for the first time under Solari and was named captain. He hadn’t scored a goal since September but one of his strikes against Melilla came from a superb long- range shot into the top corner.

In another match, Eibar was the first top- tier club to go out after drawing 2- 2 at home to second division Sporting Gijon. Eibar rallied from 0- 2 down on Thursday but was eliminated 4- 2 on aggregate.

Levante defeated second division Lugo 2- 0 to advance 3- 1 on aggregate. Jorge “Coke” Andujar and Raphael Dwamena scored late goals for the hosts.

— AP