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Real overpower sorry Bilbao with 4-0 Cup win
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-01-13 08:47
MADRID, Jan 12 (Reuters) - Real Madrid strolled into the last eight of the
King's Cup when they crushed a sorry-looking Athletic Bilbao 4-0 at the Bernabeu
on Thursday.
Real Madrid's
Roberto Soldado (L), Robinho (C) and David Beckham celebrate Robinho's
goal against Athletic Bilbao during their King's Cup soccer match at Real
Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, January 12, 2006. Real
Madrid won by 4-0. [Reuters] | A double from
Brazilian forward Robinho and goals from defender Sergio Ramos and reserve team
striker Roberto Soldado gave Real a 5-0 aggregate win over the Primera Liga
strugglers.
Real will join a high-powered line-up for the quarter-finals that includes
holders Real Betis, in-form Barcelona, Valencia, Deportivo Coruna, Espanyol,
Cadiz and the winner of the postponed tie between Real Zaragoza and Atletico
Madrid.
Barca powered their way into the last eight with a 6-0 win over third
division Zamora on Wednesday, Valencia beat regional rivals Villarreal 3-0 on
aggregate, while Deportivo went through 4-2 despite losing 2-1 in the second leg
to Osasuna.
Real, who held a 1-0 lead after the first-leg at San Mames thanks to a David
Beckham strike, made a cagey start at the Bernabeu and rarely ventured out of
midfield in the opening quarter of an hour.
They were gifted a great chance to take the lead when Guti robbed the ball
after a Bilbao corner and put Robinho in the clear, but the Brazilian wasted the
opportunity by misjudging his pass to the unmarked Julio Baptista in the area.
Robinho atoned for his error, however, when he tore through the middle of the
Bilbao defence after picking up a fine pass from Guti and calmly drilled the
ball past keeper Inaki Lafuente on the half hour.
Real eased up for the remainder of the half while Bilbao, who are languishing
in the relegation zone, appeared to have their minds on Sunday's league clash
against leaders Barcelona.
Real stepped up a gear after the break and extended their lead on 65 minutes
when Ramos chested the ball over the line after a Beckham free kick had bobbled
its way across the area.
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