Good evening and welcome to Sports Mole's live commentary of the Copa del Rey last-32 first leg between Melilla and Real Madrid from North Africa.
The home side operate in the third tier of Spanish football, but the city of Melilla is one of two Spanish enclaves on the African continent, meaning that Real Madrid have had to travel over the Mediterranean Sea for this match.
Nothing will be decided tonight, however, with the second leg to take place at the Bernabeu in December.
Stay tuned for live minute-by-minute coverage of the clash from the Estadio Municipal Alvarez Claro.
5.31pmEvening all! Sports Mole's live Copa del Rey coverage for the 2018-19 campaign begins from North Africa as Melilla travel to Real Madrid. The home side operate in the third tier of Spanish football, but the city of Melilla is one of two Spanish enclaves on the African continent, meaning that Real Madrid have had to travel over the Mediterranean Sea for this match. Nothing will be decided tonight, however, with the second leg to take place at the Bernabeu in December. Stay tuned!
5.34pmRight, before anything else, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from North Africa. Just how strong are Real Madrid in their first match since Julen Lopetegui's departure? Santiago Solari is currently in charge of the first team, and his first XI is as follows...
5.37pmTEAMS!
MELILLA: To follow
REAL MADRID: Navas; Odriozola, J Sanchez, Ramos, Reguilon; Ceballos, Llorente, Asensio; Lucas, Benzema, Vinicius
5.40pmSo there we have it. Keylor Navas, Sergio Ramos, Dani Ceballos, Marco Asensio, Lucas Vazquez and Karim Benzema all start in what is a strong XI, but there are also spots for Castilla captain Javi Sanchez and 21-year-old full-back Sergio Reguilon. Brazilian youngster Vinicius Junior will make his first start, meanwhile, since arriving at the Bernabeu. Very interesting XI.
5.43pm
📸😀 @Casemiro and @vini11Oficial met some of our #RMFans in Melilla this evening! #RMCopa pic.twitter.com/18mbtCR0yR
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) October 31, 2018
5.46pmWe are still waiting for confirmation of the home side's XI tonight, but let's kick on as kickoff moves closer here. Just a reminder that nothing will be decided tonight, with the second leg of the last-32 clash to take place at the Bernabeu in early December. It is the start of a new era for Real Madrid following the sacking of Julen Lopetegui. As mentioned, Santiago Solari is currently in charge of the first team on an interim basis before a new head coach is appointed.
5.49pmReal Madrid have incredibly lost five of their last seven matches in all competitions, beating only Viktoria Plzen during that run. Los Blancos will enter this game off the back of a 5-1 defeat at Barcelona on Sunday afternoon. That proved to be the final nail for Lopetegui. In truth, his sacking would have probably occurred even if the capital side picked up a positive Clasico result.
5.52pmThe Copa del Rey is a competition that Real Madrid have won on 19 occasions, although they have not triumphed since 2014. Barcelona have utterly dominated this tournament in recent years, but this perhaps might represent Real Madrid's best chance of silverware this season. Indeed, it is very difficult to imagine the capital giants winning a fourth straight Champions League crown.
5.55pm
0 - Real Madrid haven't failed to score in their Copa del Rey opening game since 2013/14 season (0-0 v Olimpic Xativa). Prolific. pic.twitter.com/zxVVIzdpWz
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) October 31, 2018
5.58pmReal Madrid are the overwhelming favourites to triumph tonight, but there is a chance that they could come unstuck in what is a unique match. The home side operate in the third tier of Spanish football, but the city of Melilla is one of two Spanish enclaves on the African continent, meaning that Real Madrid have had to travel over the Mediterranean Sea for this one.
6.02pmTEAMS!
MELILLA: Barrio; Chakla, Segura, Carrion, Mahanan; Ruano, Martin, Garrido, Martinez; Otegui, Qasmi
REAL MADRID: Navas; Odriozola, J Sanchez, Ramos, Reguilon; Ceballos, Llorente, Asensio; Lucas, Benzema, Vinicius
6.05pmFinally the home side's XI is in. Better late than never. Captain Mohamed Mahanan is back for Melilla tonight after not featuring against Jumilla in the league at the weekend. Nacho Aznar misses out tonight due to a knee problem, but there is a start for former Paris Saint-Germain youngster Yacine Qasmi, who is the club's top scorer this season with five goals.
6.08pmMelilla have never been past the last-32 stage of the Copa del Rey, and it would be some story if they could find a route past Real Madrid. Melilla currently play their football in Segunda Division B, and sit second in the table with 21 points from their 10 league fixtures this term.
6.12pm
👐 @NavasKeylor #RMCopa | #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/EMmJEpLZbq
— Real Madrid C.F.⚽ (@realmadrid) October 31, 2018
6.15pmMelilla have actually only lost once in all competitions this season. That was a 5-1 defeat to Granada II in the league at the end of September. Since then, they have won three of their five matches, drawing twice. As mentioned, Melilla drew 0-0 away to Jumilla in the league on Sunday.
6.18pmLittle peak of what is happening...
Copa del Rey #Melilla. Los jugadores del @realmadrid saltan al terreno de juego... ovación segundos después para los de la @UDMelilla pic.twitter.com/xW8aAcyefx
— COPE Melilla (@copemelilla) October 31, 2018
6.22pmJust a reminder of the teams for tonight's match...
TEAMS!
MELILLA: Barrio; Chakla, Segura, Carrion, Mahanan; Ruano, Martin, Garrido, Martinez; Otegui, Qasmi
REAL MADRID: Navas; Odriozola, J Sanchez, Ramos, Reguilon; Ceballos, Llorente, Asensio; Lucas, Benzema, Vinicius
6.25pmHere we go then; both sets of players have joined us on the pitch ahead of kickoff in North Africa. Let's hope for an entertaining game. Stay tuned for live minute-by-minute updates!
0 minKICKOFF: The home side kick things off here...
2 min... it must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium here. Quite strange to see Real Madrid performing inside this ground, but that is Copa del Rey football. As expected, the European champions have had the ball in the opening two minutes here.
4 minRuano shows good feet in a wide position before delivering high towards the far post, but the ball drifts out of play. Super work from the number 11. Real Madrid now build from the back.
5 minCLOSE! Half-chance for Real Madrid as Vinicius delivers a cross into Asensio, but the Spaniard cannot find a route past Barrio from a wide angle. First opportunity of the match here.
7 minSeven minutes on the clock, and so far, so good for the home side. Real Madrid continue to move the ball quickly in the final third, but Richi has just headed a Odriozola cross clear.
9 minCHANCE! Martinez breaks into a shooting position for the home side, and his effort is just wide! The attacker looked offside, but the flag somehow stayed down.
10 minYELLOW CARD! Sanchez (Real Madrid) is booked for a foul on Qasmi.
12 minMelilla have shown good quality in possession of the ball tonight, with Ruano causing problems in a wide position. The number nine Qasmi is Melilla's leading scorer this season.
12 minChakla (Melilla) is booked for a foul on Asensio.
14 minA couple of sloppy Real Madrid passes encourage the home side forward, and they are certainly causing problems in a wide area, with Martinez and Ruano both very dangerous.
16 minThe rain is really coming down at the moment. It feels like a non-league game in England, just involving the mighty Real Madrid. This is a proper football match. Sixteen minutes played.
18 minReal Madrid are struggling to get anything going at the moment as the hosts press.
20 minOdriozola breaks into a wide position before delivering low towards Benzema, but Mahanan is on hand to make the clearance. Just a few signs that Real Madrid are beginning to settle.
22 minStill goalless with 22 minutes on the clock, and Melilla have more than held their own in this last-32 fixture. No signs of serious improvement from Real Madrid under Solari, but it is very early days. Imagine the uproar if Los Blancos did not manage to win this match.
24 minMost of Real Madrid's good work has come down the right, with Odriozola breaking forward. We have not seen too much from Vinicius on the other side, although it was the Brazilian that created that early chance for Asensio. The rain continues to fall in Melilla.
26 minHalf-chance for Real Madrid as Lucas wins the ball in the middle of the park before eventually forcing it through to Benzema, but the Frenchman sees his effort blocked. Still goalless.
26 minSAVE! Wonderful, flying save from Barrio to keep out a deflected Lucas effort!
28 minLittle over 15 minutes of the first period remaining, and we are still goalless in this last-32 clash. The hosts regain the ball high up the park before it is forced towards Qasmi, but the surface takes it away. Melilla will be delighted with how they have performed tonight.
28 minGOAL! MELILLA 0-1 REAL MADRID (BENZEMA)
29 minReal Madrid take the lead in the 28th minute of this match as Odriozola drives into a wide position before delivering a low cross into Benzema, who simply cannot miss the target.
32 minI would be astounded if we had seen the last of the goals in this match as both teams continue to force the issue. Melilla just need to be careful that they do not concede a second in the next couple of minutes, with Real Madrid finally starting to show their quality in the final third.
34 minOdriozola again looks to deliver into the home side's box, but this time the ball is blocked. The game is out wide for the visitors, with space continuing to open up here.
36 minThe home side have managed to quell the pressure in the last few minutes, and are starting to see more of the ball in wide positions. That said, Navas is very comfortable at the moment.
38 minSAVE! Decent save from the home side's goalkeeper to keep out an Asensio strike.
39 minSAVE! Another excellent stop from Barrio to keep out an effort from Lucas.
41 minLittle under five minutes of the first period remaining, and it has been a good half of football. Real Madrid deserve to lead, but the home side have shown their quality here. Qasmi has just broken into the Real Madrid box, but the centre-forward was rightly flagged offside.
43 minVinicius does brilliantly to release Lucas into a dangerous position, but the Spaniard is forced too wide, and the chance is gone. Melilla are coming under real pressure here.
45 minCLOSE! Vinicius sees his curling effort just miss the far post.
45+1 minMelilla are fortunate to only be 1-0 behind at this stage of the match.
45+2 minGOAL! MELILLA 0-2 REAL MADRID (ASENSIO)
45+2 minReal Madrid double their lead late in the first period as Asensio finds the bottom corner with a smart finish following excellent work from Vinicius. It had been coming here.
45+2 minHALF TIME: MELILLA 0-2 REAL MADRID
7.18pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Real Madrid leading 2-0 at the interval. Benzema made the breakthrough in the 28th minute, before Asensio doubled the advantage just before the break. Melilla have had their moments, but have been second best.
7.23pmSTATISTICS! Real Madrid had 61% of the ball in the first period, while they had 10 attempts, six of which were on target. Melilla, meanwhile, only managed one attempt, and it was off target. Two yellow cards to report - Chakla for the home side, and Sanchez for the La Liga giants.
7.28pmBENCH WATCH! Casemiro and Nacho are both on the Real Madrid bench tonight, as are youngsters Franchu, Gonzalez, Valverde and De La Fuente. As for Melilla, the likes of Brahim, Bueno and Ortega are in reserve. We will see both managers use their bench in the second half.
46 minKICKOFF: The away side kick things off in the second period...
47 min... REAL MADRID SUBS! Ramos and Benzema are replaced by Nacho and Valverde. Not too much of a surprise to see Solari made alterations at this stage.
49 minNacho now has the armband for Real Madrid, who will fancy their chances of scoring more goals in the second period. No changes from Melilla at the half-time interval here.
51 minNot too much to report in the early stages of the second period, although Melilla have had some decent moments in wide positions. Two low crosses have arrived into the Real Madrid box, but the attempts from Ruano and Garrido were blocked. Still 2-0 to the visitors here.
53 minQasmi drives into the Real Madrid box, but the striker is crowded out at the vital moment. Not too much to report in terms of chances since the second period begun here.
55 minQuite an untidy game at the moment as the pitch continues to cut up. The rain has not helped the surface, and both teams are struggling to put together passing moves at the moment.
57 minOdriozola breaks down the right before delivering a dangerous cross into the Melilla box, but the danger is cleared. Little over 30 minutes of the second period remaining here.
59 minCarrion has been advanced for Melilla in the last few minutes, with the left-back driving at Odriozola. Qasmi then goes down inside the box under a challenge from Nacho, but the referee is not interested. Not too much from Real Madrid down the other end though.
62 minSAVE! Huge chance for Real Madrid to score a third as Ceballos breaks into the home side's box before striking towards goal, but his effort is kept out by Barrio!
64 minLittle over 25 minutes of the second period remaining, and the score remains 2-0 here.
65 minSAVE! Barrio keeps out a long-range Llorente strike!
67 minReal Madrid are very much on the front foot at the moment as Asensio breaks into the Melilla box, but more good goalkeeping from Barrio sees the score stay 2-0 to the visitors.
69 minLucas again breaks down the right for Real Madrid before delivering a cross into the box, but Mahanan is on hand to make the clearance. Little over 20 minutes remaining in this one.
70 minMELILLA SUB! Martin replaces Qasmi for the home side.
73 minBit of possession for the home side in the last few minutes, but their final pass has been disappointing tonight. Still 2-0 as we head for the final 15 minutes of action here.
73 minOFF THE BAR! Reguilon rattles the home side's crossbar with a thumping strike!
75 minCLOSE! Ruano just misses the Real Madrid post with a low strike!
76 minMELILLA SUB! Martinez is replaced by Brahim.
77 minLittle over 7,200 spectators inside the stadium tonight!
79 minJust a reminder that the second leg of this last-32 Copa del Rey clash will take place at the Bernabeu in early December. Real Madrid are full control of the tie at the moment.
79 minGOAL! MELILLA 0-3 REAL MADRID (ODRIOZOLA)
80 minReal Madrid score their third in the 79th minute as Odriozola smashes home following a period of pin-ball inside the home side's box. Not too sure about the defending there!
82 minReal Madrid will fancy their chances of adding to the scoresheet in the final 10 minutes as they continue to dominate the ball. The home side seem to have run out of energy here.
83 minREAL MADRID SUB! Gonzalez replaces Asensio for the visitors.
84 minMELILLA SUB! Bueno replaces Garrido for the home side.
86 minReal Madrid continue to force the issue as they look for a fourth late on here.
88 minRuano delivers a low cross into the Real Madrid box, but the danger is cleared. Real Madrid then break down the other end with Ceballos, who also has a low cross cleared.
90 minPossession football from Real Madrid as we approach the full-time whistle here.
90+1 minGonzalez misses the target with a curling effort following smart work from Vinicius.
90+2 minWe are into the second and final minute of added time at the end of the 90.
90+3 minGOAL! MELILLA 0-4 REAL MADRID (GONZALEZ)
90+4 minReal Madrid have a fourth in the final stages as the substitute Gonzalez heads home from close range! That is tough on Melilla, and their goalkeeper really should have saved it.
90+5 minFULL TIME: MELILLA 0-4 REAL MADRID
8.23pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Real Madrid running out 4-0 winners against Melilla in the first leg of their last-32 clash. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live coverage once again. See you next time!
