Overview
- Real Madrid edged third‑tier Talavera 3-2 away to advance in the Spanish Cup.
- Kylian Mbappé converted a penalty, forced a first‑half own goal and scored again in the 88th minute.
- Talavera struck in the 80th minute and deep into stoppage time, and Andriy Lunin’s late save preserved the result.
- Xabi Alonso defended playing Mbappé throughout, said progression was the priority, and acknowledged ongoing consistency issues.
- With Thibaut Courtois, Antonio Rüdiger and Federico Valverde left out and Raul Asencio ill, Madrid turned to Lunin and several Castilla call‑ups; they host Sevilla on Saturday with Mbappé one short of Ronaldo’s 59‑goal record.