11 November,2009 08:08 AM IST | | AFP
Minnows Alcorcon create history by knocking Madrid out of Kings Cup Kaka seems to be in shock after Real Madrid crashed out of the Kings Cup yesterday
Real Madrid's dreams of a treble are over after they were knocked out of the Kings Cup. A one goal victory in the second leg was not enough as they succumbed to a spirited performance from Segunda B minnows Alcorcon at the Bernabeu.
The only goal came just nine minutes from time from second half substitute Rafael Van der Vaart.
The first half was all Madrid as Brazilian playmaker Kaka orchestrated everything in an attacking sense.
The attacking formation certainly looked to be paying dividend in terms of possession as Alcorcon simply could not find their way out of their own half, but Madrid crucially were failing to find the net.
Close calls
The second half began in similar fashion with Pepe going close but his header was inches over Juanma's bar.
Then minutes later Ruud van Nistelrooy rattled the bar but still the Alcorcon goal remained in tact.
Rafael Van der Vaart, on at the break for Mahamadou Diarra, added a new attacking impetus for Madrid, linking well with Kaka and although they were camped inside Alcorcon territory, the final ball lacked the quality they so desperately needed.
It was Van der Vaart who eventually found the breakthrough, with nine minutes on the clock, smashing a fine low drive past a sea of players from the edge of the box to beat Juanma low to the 'keepers bottom right hand corner.
Alcorcon defended for their lives, and even with cramp setting in during the latter stages they chased and harried Los Galacticos with an admirable spirit and determined resolve and thoroughly deserved their aggregate victory and maybe were unfortunate not to hold out for a second memorable result against the might Real Madrid in a fortnight.
It finished 1-0 in the end, a lame effort from football's supposed superstars and Real Madrid are out of the Copa del Rey at the first hurdle.
Barca have no such trouble getting past Leonesa
Barcelona put five second half goals past minnows Cultural Leonesa to secure a comfortable passage to the fifth round of the Kings Cup with a dazzling and dominant display at Nou Camp.
The Copa champions were completely dominant from start to finish but had to wait until six minutes into the second half for the breakthrough as Bojan Krkic began the rout, tapping home after fine work from Jeffren.
Barca were comfortable from the off and their dominance in possession coupled with their two goal lead from the first leg suggested that it was always going to be a comfortable night for Pep Guardiola's men.
