Talavera 2-3 Real Madrid: Xabi Alonso clings to Mbappé to stay alive in Copa del Rey

Real Madrid went through the motions, with late suffering, in the round of 32 of the Copa del Rey 2025-26 against the humble Talavera CF (2-3). Xabi Alonso's men completed another very discreet match, but advanced to the next round with a scare included in Toledo, led by their top scorer, Kylian Mbappé.

The Frenchman, again a starter, opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 41st minute and forced an own goal from Manuel Farrando in the second minute of added time, which seemed to seal the match before halftime. At the end, 'Kiki' sealed his brace, after Nahuel Arroyo's goal and another from Gonzalo Di Renzo in stoppage time.

Like FC Barcelona and Atlético de Madrid, the 'White House' will play in the round of 16 in mid-January. A round in which, by regulation, none of the three clubs, in addition to Athletic (if they defeat Ourense this Thursday), can face each other yet, having qualified for the Spanish Super Cup

A very questionable penalty paved the way for Real Madrid's victory

Real Madrid only took 3 minutes to threaten the opponent's area. A pass from the flank by Endrick left Mbappé one-on-one with Jaime González, but the local goalkeeper came out quickly to block the '10's' shot.

Talavera reacted with a header from Marcos Moreno in the 18th minute that forced Lunin to use his fists to prevent his goal from falling. Endrick, Gonzalo García, and Mastantuono also wasted clear opportunities in a first half with greater possession for the whites, but without much clarity in the penalty areas.

Finally, in the 40th minute, the action that broke the deadlock arrived. Referee Guillermo Cuadra Fernández did not hesitate to award a handball inside the area against Marcos Moreno, who, prior to a clearance, made unintentional contact with his left arm against the ball

With no VAR in the round of 32, there was no review and Mbappé took charge of the penalty, fooling González with a dry right-footed shot. In the 45+2', another burst by 'Kiki' down the left resulted in an own goal by Manuel Farrando. In his eagerness to clear, the defender deflected the ball into his own net, surprising the Talavera goalkeeper

Talavera Nearly Pulled Off a Miracle in the Second Half

The second half seemed like a formality for Xabi Alonso's team, but Real Madrid, this season, has no easy days in any competition. Not even when facing one of the bottom teams in the Primera RFEF.

Nahuel Arroyo scored for Talavera in the 80th minute after a good play by the locals down the wing, where Fran García was easily beaten by Farrando. The cross from the flank allowed Arroyo to arrive unmarked on the other wing to blast Lunin with a first-time left-footed shot.

The locals pushed for the equalizer and, logically, left spaces at the back in the final minutes. Mbappé, with a shot from the edge of the box, made it 1-3 in the 89th minute. The ball surprised Jaime González after an irregular bounce on one of the potholes formed inside the area. The turf played a trick on the goalkeeper and everything seemed settled.

However, in the 90+1', Gonzalo Di Renzo scored again for Talavera, this time capitalizing on a rebound off the crossbar after a free kick by Isaih Navarro hit the woodwork directly. Navarro himself, with a header, came close to a third goal a couple of minutes later, but Lunin sent the ball to the corner with a tremendous save.

The locals came close to a miracle at the end, and Real Madrid, another embarrassment in Xabi Alonso's cycle. Despite qualifying in the Cup, the Basque coach's worried expression in the final minutes of the match was eloquent: his team is not finding its way in 25/26 and each game has become a 'match point' for his future on the bench

Match Report: Talavera CF 2-3 Real Madrid

• Talavera CF, 2: Jaime González; David Cuenca (Sergi Molina, min. 46), Álvaro López, Manu Farrando, Roig (Arroyo, min. 59); Edu Gallardo (Arturo Molina, min. 76), Pitu Doncel, Isaiah Navarro, Luis Sánchez (Capó, min. 46); Di Renzo, Marcos Moreno (Montero, min. 70).
• Real Madrid, 3: Lunin; David Jiménez, Huijsen, Carreras, Fran García; Ceballos (Cestero, min. 87), Güler (Tchouaméni, min. 77), Mastantuono (Rodrygo, min. 66); Mbappé, Endrick and Gonzalo (Bellingham, min. 77).
• Goals: 0-1, Kylian Mbappé (min. 41, pen.); 0-2, Manuel Farrando (min. 45+2, own goal); 1-2, Nahuel Arroyo (min. 80); 1-3, Kylian Mbappé (min. 89); 2-3, Gonzalo Di Renzo (min. 90+1).
• Referee: Guillermo Cuadra Fernández. He awarded a penalty to Real Madrid in the first half for a dubious handball by Marcos Moreno. For Talavera, he cautioned Eduardo Gallardo. For Real Madrid, he cautioned Jude Bellingham.
• Stadium: El Prado in Toledo.
• Incidents: match corresponding to the round of 32 of the 2025/26 Copa del Rey.