No tribute to an eternal legend like Pelé is greater than a goal. And it couldn't be signed by anyone other than a Brazilian, Rodrygo Goes, who signed it on a poorly maintained pitch. Magic in the dribble to get past two defenders and a masterful finish with a curler into the top corner, in a goal that saved Real Madrid from trouble against the modest Cacereño team that challenged the giants.
The path of Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey is not a coincidence. Their last conquest in 2014 shows that they consider it a competition of lesser importance. And the change in format, with visits to teams that are having their great day, in single-leg knockout rounds, punishes their way of facing them. With hardly any regular starters, in Cáceres they avoided discrediting themselves thanks to an individual effort from Rodrygo Goes after a first half that they won't remember for a long time.
The Segunda RFEF team, Cacereño, closed the enormous gap between squads with enthusiasm. Competing for every ball. With the bravery of those who have nothing to lose. High pressure, the intensity that was lacking in the Madridistas, who dominated possession against a Real Madrid that was unable to build plays. Only Dani Ceballos tried to connect with the offensive trident. Only he had a shot on goal, weak and distant, in the first half.
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Pelé and the tribute from Rodrygo
The 'yes, we can' chant from the stands on a historic day for Cacereño, emboldened their players. The uneven pitch didn't favor the giant team, and neither did the attitude of some players for whom the match was a bitter experience. Eden Hazard's return to the starting lineup was insignificant. Only Marco Asensio's attempts, some moments of quality in Rodrygo's dribble. Insufficient for a goal.
A sluggish and overconfident Madrid, waiting for the opponent to pay the price for their effort, let time pass. The local attacks didn't greatly trouble Lunin, who saved a shot from David Grande after the half-hour mark and was solid in dealing with crosses and set pieces.
With only eight regular starters on the field, Ancelotti didn't have much on the bench to seek a reaction. He brought on Federico Valverde for Tchouaméni, who was at risk of getting a yellow card. He also brought on Rudiger, while Odriozola lasted 50 minutes in his first game of the season before a muscular problem forced him out of the match.
Hazard continued in his indifferent form, not improving any attacks when Real Madrid made an obligatory move forward, leaving the feeling that hungry academy players like Sergio Arribas would contribute more. A performance that raises doubts about whether he deserves the prominence that Ancelotti predicted for the second half of the season.
Asensio warned with a left-footed strike after an hour of play and Real Madrid woke up completely with Rodrygo Goes' great individual action. He got past two defenders with a precise dribble, positioned his body to strike the ball with his right foot, and placed his shot into the top corner. A work of art worthy of Pelé, to whom he dedicated the goal with three jumps in celebration and a message.
Madrid found the reward when they got down into the mud and started fighting in every action. With the goal as their prize, they no longer felt any danger. Cacereño had given everything they had with nobility and had nothing more left to make the feat a reality. Ancelotti's team scraped through one of those unattractive days to play good football. (EFE)