Easy win for Real Madrid in Copa del Rey

Madrid, Nov 1 (IANS) Real Madrid all but assured their progress into the last 16 of the Spanish Copa del Rey knockout football competition with a 4-1 win away to third-tier Alcoyano in the first leg tie.

Although there is a return leg in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in two week' s time, a brace from Karim Benzema, and a goal each from Kaka and B-team player Jose Rodriguez were enough to secure an easy win Wednesday against the Alcoyano, who netted a consolation goal thanks to Javi Lara, reports Xinhua.

Alcoyano will need a miracle in the second leg. They would have to defeat Real Madrid 4-0 in their own backyard, a highly improbable outcome.

Elsewhere, Atletico Madrid beat Jaen 3-0. Jaen had to play for 70 minutes with a player less after having defender Dan Torres sent off for handball.

Adrian Lopez, Diego Costa and Raul Garcia scored Atletico' s goals, which virtually assures their progress into the next round.