Madrid: Gareth Bale came off the bench to help Real Madrid salvage a 2-2 draw against third-tier club Fuenlabrada and advance to the last 16 of the Copa del Rey. The Madrid giants advanced on an aggregate of 4-2, having won the first leg 2-0 away.
Real manager Zinedine Zidane has always highlighted the importance of Gareth Bale’s return to fitness ahead of a crucial run of games for the club. And Bale showed that even though he was on the field for 28 minutes only, he still had the ability to influence the outcome of the game.
“I’m happy for Gareth because he’s been out for a while,” Zidane informed after the game. He is an important player and to see him ready for the coming games makes me happy.”
Real Madrid were in danger of seeing their two-goal first leg lead overturned at a sparsely-populated Bernabeu as the Segunda B leaders took a shock lead against a youthful home side through Luis Milla. The shot was deflected by Madrid shot-stopper Keylor Navas on to the under-edge of the bar. However, the ball bounced back to hit Navas’ head and nestle at the back of the net.
However, the 62nd-minute introduction of Bale, making his first appearance after missing 11 games through injury, changed the course of the game.
He set up two goals for Borja Mayoral – the first with an exquisite cross with the outside of his left foot which the striker headed home. The second on the night came when Bale’s shot was parried by the rival goalkeeper Pol Feixranet and Mayoral fired in the rebound.
However, the night was not to be Real’s when Alvaro Portilla got a second for the visitors to secure a famous draw.
Agencies