Cacereño vs Real Madrid summary: score, goals, highlights | Copa del Rey 2022-23

Real Madrid looking to end Copa del Rey drought

High praise indeed from Carlo Ancelotti for his team which I must admit, I wasn't totally expecting. 

Anyway, Real Madrid are in the hat for the next round, which is all the matters. 

Los Blancos haven't won the Copa del Rey since 2014 (remember Gareth Bale's 'off-the-pitch' goal in the final against Barcelona) and are only third on the list in terms of most victories in the competition, behind Barça and Athletic Club. 

Those two clubs play their last 32 ties across the next two days and we'll have live coverage of Intercity vs Barcelona right here on AS USA. 

Carlo Ancelotti: I liked everything from the first minute to the last

It was an even game, hard-fought. But the team did what they had to do. We had to adapt to a playing a type of game we're not used to. That's not soccer. I'm very satisfied. We couldn't show our individual quality because of the pitch, you can play along the ground on this type of grass. I liked everything. From the first minute to the last. 

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Cacereño hit the jackpot: the financial benefits of meeting Real Madrid

It wasn't to be for Cacereño in terms of progress to the next round of the Copa del Rey but all's not lost for the men from Extremadura. 

“During this game alone, we will generate the same revenue as we have forecast for the entire year”. 

Here's Andy to tell us more on what that actually means. 

"We are all Dani Ceballos right now." The 'we' in this tweet being Real Madrid fans.

Rodrygo's goal might have been the only positive for Carlo Ancelotti to take from that game. With so many first-choice players missing, I don't imagine the Italian will be too concerned though. 

Cacereño's 'warriors' a source of pride

"PROUD OF OUR WARRIORS!" say Cacerño. And rightly so.

"A narrow defeat to the champions of Europe in a game in which our warriors gave everything. Thank you. This Copa del Rey has been unforgettable."

Garci doesn't have his crossing boots (is there such a thing?) on. He gets away down the right and sticks a second one into the stand behind the goal. 

Three minutes of added time to be played. 

The less said about that free kick, the better. This is petering out for the home side. 

What can Cacereño do here? Vázquez hauls back Manchon and it's a chance to get the ball into the box...

Camavinga and Pedro clash on the touchline and are both booked for their troubles. 

A slightly better spell for Cacereño in the last few minutes but they haven't even threatened a chance, never mind a goal. 

Ahhhh, that's frustrating for the hosts. Cacereño work the ball into a dangerous position wide on the right but, with targets to aim at in the box, Garci sticks the ball behind for a goal kick. 

The goal has really taken the wind out of the hosts' sails. Can the changes breathe new life into them? Under 10 minutes to go. 

It's that time of the game. Substitution after substitution. 

Young Sergio Arribas comes on for Asensio for Real Madrid. 

Pedro replaces Gomis for Cacereño. 

A matter of seconds after coming on, Bermu goes in the book. 

Rodrygo almost through for a second but Cacereño just manage to get a foot in before he gets a shot away!

...and is immediately replaced by Bermu.

Télles is shown a yellow card...

Solano and Garci replace Grande and Fernández for Cacereño.

Cacereño goalkeeper Iván Moreno is not Brazilian, as far as I'm aware, but he pulls off a twinkletoes move of his own to get away from the onrushing Ceballos. 

Cool as a cucumber. Wouldn't looked silly if he'd lost it though. 

Are you reading this feed, Carlo? Ancelotti has had enough of Hazard's nothingness and sends on youngster Álvaro Rodríguez in his place. 

You know when people say that they forgot player X was playing? That's Eden Hazard in this game. He's barely touched the ball and when he has done, he's not done anything significant with it. 

Iván Fernández sees yellow for a late lunge on Ceballos. 

A Mexican wave going round the Estadio Príncipe Felipe.

Come on folks, the game's not been that bad...

Manchón...just over! Valverde got back to get a crucial nick on the ball which sent it flying over the bar. 

Cacereño in Real Madrid faces

A nice photo here which illustrates the average distance between Cacereño and Real Madrid players in this game so far. 

Asensio shot saved! An end-to-end passage of play, which is exactly what the hosts don't want. Real Madrid manage to work the ball through the midfield freely for one of the only times in the game and Vázquez sets up Asensio, who swivels and shoots, with Moreno forced to beat the ball away.  

Iván Fernández is next to be denied by an offside flag. The Cacereño wide man got round the outside of Vázquez and wiggled his way into the box but the flag went up just as he tested Lunin with an angled shot. 

Valverde and Rüdiger have come on for Tchouaméni and Militão. Not quite 'Ancelotti has had enough territory' but he'll be getting there.  

Rodrygo clean through on goal...offside! That looked onside to me...

A slick piece of passing play from the visitors, which has been all too rare until now. 

Not much to report in the second half so far in terms of action. More of the same. 

I'll say it again: can Cacereño keep it up?

This just isn't Álvaro Odriozola's season...

He gets a bang on the foot and is forced off. Jesús Vallejo, Real Madrid's other almost invisible man, is his replacement. 

A change for Cacereño at the break. Karim El Kounni on for Carmelo. 

And we're away again!

Just one question: will Cacereño do it?

Cacereño have giant-killing previous

Remember that Cacereño are no strangers to the giant-killing game. Girona might not quite be 'giants' in the same way as Real Madrid are but the LaLiga side were dumped out by the men from Cáceres in the last round. 

Could a repeat be on the cards...?

Half-time: Cacereño 0-0 Real Madrid

Cacereño will be MORE than happy with that first half!

Did I say after a few minutes that the home side wouldn't be able to keep up the pace for the whole of the first half? Yes, I did. Was I wrong? Pretty much. 

The Cacereño lads will sleep well tonight. They haven't given Real Madrid a minute's peace and although there hasn't been very much in the way of goalmouth action, they've just about had the better of the efforts on goal. Andriy Lunin has had to make a couple of fairly comfortable saves, while another two shots from range have gone just over. 

Carlo Ancelotti's side have mostly just gone through the motions but have showed one or two glimpses of quality, with Marco Asensio and Lucas Vázquez looking most lively. But two hopeful strikes from distance from Dani Ceballos have been the only threat - if you can call them that - to Iván Moreno's goal. 

Can the hosts go again in the second half? The half-time break came at the wrong time for them. Surely Los Blancos will offer more of a threat after the interval?

I briefly mentioned the state of the pitch before the game and that's the way it's played out. It's definitely not the kind of surface Madrid are used to playing on. They'd never use that as an excuse though, would they...?

That last passage of play sums up Cacereño. Asensio pulls off a silky nutmeg as he looks to break into the box but two green shirts sprint back to halt his progress. 

I almost spoke too soon! A long ball looks to have played Asensio clean through but the ball just holds up enough to allow Cacereño to get numbers back and snuff out the danger. 

I'm going to say it. 

Cacereño have got Real Madrid on the ropes here. 

Excellent handling from Lunin...twice! Carmelo puts a corner and then a cross into the box, which the Ukrainian punches away under severe pressure and the catches respectively. 

Télles is suddenly in the thick of the action! He drives forward from midfield and lets one fly...too high. 

Well, I gave it the big build up...for no reason. Télles whips it in with lots of pace...oh, far too much pace in fact. Goal kick. 

Now, this could be interesting! Odriozola fouls Manchón in a very dangerous position...

Asensio's corner, Militão's header.I'm not sure it wouldn've reached the goal line if Moreno hadn't come to claim it. 

A promising break through the middle from Rodrygo but the Brazilian overruns the ball just as he was about to pull the trigger. 

Lunin saves! It was comfortable for the Ukrainian but a nice piece of play from the hosts, with Grande curling a left-footed strike into the arms of the Real Madrid keeper. 

Was there a handball in the Real Madrid box there?? Carmelo whips a nice cross in towards Grande, who appeals for a penalty as he challenges for the ball. On further inspection, it definitely wasn't. 

Here we go...

Manchón sees yellow seconds later for a late challenge on Odriozola. 

Tchouaméni first in the book as he fails to put the breaks on in time as he closes down Aguado. That seemed harsh. 

There's really not been anything between the two teams in the first 25 minutes or so. You'd expect Real Madrid's quality to start telling at some point but if you had no idea who these two were, you'd have no idea there were three tiers between the two. 

Pelé the Gladiator

This was the minute's silence in honour of Pelé before kickoff, with the Gladiator soundtrack playing in the background. Play like Pelé, play like Gladiators. There's the Cacereño team talk. 

Cacereño are not messing about here. Thought they might show Real Madrid too much respect? Not a chance. Télles gets stuck in about Camavinga in midfield and Aguado goes through Nacho, which leaves the defender on the floor. 

The first proper test for Iván Moreno! Although it wasn't that difficult, really...Ceballos winds one up from distance and the Cacereño stopper has to get down low to keep it out. 

Real Madrid are in! But no! Asnesio is ruled offside just after playing Vázuqez clean through on goal. 

Lucas Vázquez has twice got away down the right for Real Madrid but hasn't quite been able to tee up a teammate for an effort on goal. He looks like the out-ball for the visitors though. 

The first effort on goal and it comes from Cacereño! The ball drops to Merenciano on the edge of the box and his shot is deflected over for a corner, which they make a right mess of. 

The hardest pass you've ever seen from Tchouaméni to Asensio. Yet somehow the Spaniard manages to get it under his spell. Majestic. 

The first time Real Madrid have been able to show their quality, as Asensio and Vázquez combine on the right but the latter's cross is overhit and Rodrygo has no chance of getting on the end of it. 

It always tends to happen in these kind of games but the lower-league side have flown out of the traps and are pressing all over the pitch. They won't be able to sustain it but maybe they can take advantage of it in these early stages? 

It's only been a minute but we've seen a bright start from the hosts. A really dangerous free-kick into the box from Manchón headed away!

Cacereño vs Real Madrid: we have lift off!

We're moments away from kick-off, which will take place following a minute's silence in honour of Pelé. 

Real Madrid line-up

No Benzema, no Modric, no Vini, no Courtois, no Kroos. 

You'd still more than fancy this Real Madrid team to get the job done!

Mexican Luis Télles the big name in the Cacereño line-up!

Almost time for Cacereño vs Real Madrid

Is the Estadio Príncipe Felipe a night club or a soccer ground? Either way, it's looking busy and almost ready to go!

Cacereño starting line-up to face Real Madrid

Who joins Télles in the starting XI to take on Real Madrid? This is how Cacereño will line up (4-1-4-1):

Iván Moreno; Manolo Molina, Luis Aguado, Josín Martínez, Samuel Gomis; Álvaro Clausí; Iván Fernández Tamayo, Luis Télles, Samu Manchon, Carmelo Merenciano; David Grande.

Big David up front with be desperate to take Goliath down. 

Who plays for Cacereño?

You could rattle off the Real Madrid starting line-up and bench without giving it much thought but I suspect few of you will be familiar with the Cacereño roster.

That said, some of you may remember Mexican midfielder Luis Fernando Télles, who started his career at Atlas in Liga MX and also later turned out for Juárez before moving to Spain in 2020. Télles signed for Cacereño in the summer and starts in midfield.

How are Cacereño doing this season?

Cacereño are currently in sixth place in Group 5 of Segunda Federación, one place outside the promotion playoff places. They do, however, have a game in hand on the teams above them, which could see them move up into joint-second spot, five points behind leaders Melilla. The last time Los Verdiblancos (the Green and Whites) tasted defeat was all the way back at the end of October; the head into the clash against Real Madrid on a seven-match unbeaten streak.

And don’t forget that they’ve already caused a shock this season, defeating LaLiga side Girona in the last round of the Copa del Rey, which was their last competitive game. Watch out Real Madrid, you’re coming up against a team in form.

What has been Cacereño’s highest ever league placing?

Cacereño have spent almost their entire history flitting between the third and fourth tiers of the Spanish league pyramid. But you’ll no doubt remember their glory year of 1952, when they won promotion to the Segunda División for the one and only time before immediately being relegated the following summer after finishing 16th out of 16 in the ‘South Group’.

What stadium Cacereño play at?

Cacereño play their home game at Estadio Príncipe Felipe, which opened in 1977 and currently has a maximum capacity of 7000 people. The highest profile match which has ever taken place at the ground was an international friendly between Spain and Romania, which drew a crowd of over 16,000 (before redevelopment), which remains the record attendance. 

Where are Cacereño from?

‘Cacereño’ is both the adjective and demonym for people (or things) from the city of Cáceres, which is the capital of the province of the same name in the autonomous community of Extremadura in western Spain. The medieval walled city, which has a population of just under 100,000, has a mix of Roman, Moorish, Gothic and Italian Renaissance architecture and was declared a UNESECO World Heritage Site in 1986. Definitely worth a visit.

Which division do Cacereño play in?

We could be here until next New Year explaining how the league system is set up in Spain below the top two divisions. Cacereño currently play in Segunda Federación, which is the fourth level of the Spain’s league pyramid and has five divisions of 18 teams in it. That’s 90 teams in total (yes, really). The third level (Primera Federación) is made up of two divisions of 40 teams, so they have plenty of competition if they are to make their way up the ladder.

Segunda Federación is a semi-professional league, with clubs required to have a minimum of 10 members of their roster signed on a professional contract. They can also have no more than 16 players over the age of 23.

Cacereño time!

I've kept you waiting long enough! Just who on earth are CP Cacereño?

The ​​​​​​​basics

Cacereño were founded as Club Deportivo Cacereño in 1918 and added ‘poli’ to their name in 1980. They’ve spent the majority of their existence in the fourth tier of Spanish soccer, which is where they are now.

soccer

Arsenal vs Newcastle live online: score, stats & updates | Premier League 22-23

Before I bring you more on what you've all been waiting for (who the devil are Cacereño?), just a little reminder that there is also Premier League action taking place. It's a top-of-the-table clash as Arsenal take on Newcastle (you didn't see that coming at the start of the season, did you) and my esteemed colleague Joe will be taking you through that one, which should be a cracker. 

As should this one, though, so keep both open please! Thank you!

SOCCER

Real Valladolid condemn Vinícius Júnior racist abuse

And here, along with Real Valladolid's condemnation of the incident, is what LaLiga say they are doing about it. As I said, it's clearly not working, not enough and it has to stop. 

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Vinicius hits out at La Liga after racist comments from Valladolid fans

Racism, ONCE AGAIN, reared its ugly head in Valladolid, with Real Madrid's Brazilian winger Vinícius Júnior subjected to vile abuse from a section of the home support. The player was scathing in his criticism of LaLiga in the aftermath of the game, accusing them of doing nothing to fight against it. The league obviously claimed otherwise but it's difficult not to have huge sympathy for the attacker, who has been on the receiving end of such abuse on numerous occasions. Whatever LaLiga are doing isn't enough of a deterrent. 

Real Madrid's last game

This is, of course, Real Madrid's second match after the World Cup break. On New Year's Eve Eve, they won 2-0 at Real Valladolid, which, coupled with Barcelona dropping points in the derby against Espanyol, saw them join the Catalans on 38 points at the top of LaLiga. 

Unfortunately, the action on the field wasn't the main talking point from the game at José Zorrilla...

Real Madrid - the season so far

It's been a funny season for Real Madrid. For most of the LaLiga campaign, it looked as if they might run away with it, especially after a convincing Clásico win over Barcelona in mid-October. With Barça seemingly swaying from one crisis to another, the stability and consistency of Madrid would surely prevail. Not quite...

One point from two games against Girona and Rayo Vallecano in late-November/early-December meantLos Blancos headed into the World Cup break two points behind their arch-rivals at the top of the table.

Similarly, Carlo Ancelotti's men started their Champions League in fine form with three straight wins but performances dropped off with qualification for the round of 16 all but assured (which it eventually was).   

A historic night for Cacereño

The calm before the storm, as the told saying goes. Cacereño put this out on social media a little earlier and I'm hugely impressed by the playing of "Here we go, here we go, here we go!" pre-match. I've not heard that in a soccer ground since the 90s I think. That takes me back. Superb stuff. Give it a whirl. 

SOCCER

Real Madrid first-team stars to be rested against Cacereño

You might have noticed the omission of some pretty big stars from that line-up - Karim Benzema, Luka Modric, Vinícius Júnior, Here's the full list of players who haven't been picked for the game, along with a few unfamiliar names that have. 

That includes the marvellously named Marvelous Antolín Garzón, who's called Marvel by his (team)mates. His fine performances for Real Madrid's B team have earned him a place on the bench. 

Álvaro Odriozola lives!

There have unsurprisingly been rumours that he's about to head out the door - which will almost undoubtedly happen - but there will be a rare sighting of an Álvaro Odriozola tonight in Cáceres. The former Real Sociedad defender hasn't played a single second of soccer this season (although he has been on the bench plenty). 

There's also a start for Eden Hazard, who you may remember admitted after the World Cup that he was over the hill. 

Real Madrid starting line-up vs Cacereño

As they often like to do, Real Madrid have gone early with their starting line-up! Carlo Ancelotti revealed he'd leave some of his big hitters at home but he's still named a strong team. Nobody likes slipping on a banana skin, after all. 

Lunin; Vázquez, Militão, Nacho, Odriozola; Ceballos, Tchouaméni, Camavinga; Asensio, Rodrygo, Hazard. 

Who won the Copa del Rey in 2021-22?

You'll almost certainly remember that Real Betis are the current holders of the Copa del Rey. They beat Valencia in a penalty shootout in the last final in April and as a result will take part in the Spanish Super Cup later this month. You'll be hearing plenty from us about that in the next couple of weeks, so stay tuned!

How does the Copa del Rey work?

We'll take a look at the two teams in a moment but first, what's the deal with the 'new' Copa del Rey?

Of course, those of you who are in the know will be well aware that the 2022-23 Copa del Rey started all the way back in October with teams from the sixth tier of Spanish soccer taking part in the preliminary rounds. 110 of the 115 qualified clubs then faced off in the first-round proper in November and we’ve now reached the round of 32, where Real Madrid and the other three participants in the Spanish Super Cup (Barcelona, Real Betis and Valencia) are lucky enough to be able to begin their cup campaign. Things are pretty straightforward from now on. Win or you're out (as if that wasn't obvious). 

The RFEF – the Spanish Football Federation – changed the format of the competition for the 2019-20 edition, which has made things far more interesting. More teams have entered from the lower divisions and can live the dream of competing against clubs they would normally never face, while the higher seeded team playing away from home in a one-off cup-tie means there’s always the hope of a cup upset.

And who doesn’t love one of those? Apart from you, Real Madrid fans...

SOCCER

Cacereño vs Real Madrid: times, how to watch on TV, stream online, Copa del Rey 2022

Before we get down to serious business, it’s occurred to me that you might be looking for a way to watch the game. Well, if you’re in the US, you’re in luck! There is a way and here it is! 

​​​​​​​I can almost hear your eyebrows raising in excitement. 

What time does Cacereño vs Real Madrid kick off?

Tuesday's clash gets underway at 9pm local time in Spain, that’s 3pm ET and 12pm PT. Over the course of the next 90 minutes, I’ll be bringing you build-up, team news and all the trimmings, and I’ll also try to explain to you just who an earth Cacereño are. Maybe they’ll be household names in a few hours’ time…

Hello and welcome to Cacereño vs Real Madrid!

Good morning, good afternoon and good evening to you, wherever you are in the world! Thanks for joining me (Roddy) for Tuesday's intriguing Copa del Rey clash between Cacereño (“Who?” I hear you cry) and Real Madrid (you may have heard of them before).

This is, in my opinion, what cup-tie soccer is all about. The glitz and glamour of Real Madrid forced to get changed in a cramped, smelly dressing room and attempt to play their pretty, tippy-tappy soccer on a bobbly pitch against a team who are set for the night of the (professional, or semi-professional in this case) lives. Hopefully that was just the right amount of clichés.