Real Madrid set one foot in the quarter-finals from the spot

A slow start from Real Madrid set the tone for the remainder of the match, with Zidane's men struggling early on to break down the defensive scheme set up by Numancia. Their initial game plan was simple at first glance, sit back and defend, patiently waiting for the chance to hit on the counter-attack.

The team they were faced with was none other than last season's Spanish and European champions. But the second-tier side were never intimidated by the size of the opposition, not even when Diamanka's second-half red card saw them reduced to ten men.

In fact, it was the hosts who fired the first warning, Diamanka heading a corner at Casilla. The goalkeeper made a crucial save moments later to keep out a deflected shot across goal from Higinio, getting his fingertips to the ball in order to avoid a shocking opener from Numancia.

A long spell of possession for the visitors followed, dealt comfortably by the deep defending of the home side. Real shaded possession, but failed to test Munir in goal.

Around the half hour mark, the first big opening of the game saw Mayoral side-foot wide of the post from close range. A bending free-kick from Asensio found the striker unmarked at the back post, but he was unable to convert. Numancia were straight up the other end and Dani Nieto appeared to go down under a challenge from Theo Hernandez, with the Madrid left-back pulling on the winger's shirt. However, the referee waved away penalty claims.

To further enrage the home support, the official did point to the spot when Lucas Vazquez was tripped inside the box and Gareth Bale stepped up to stroke into the net. For all of Numancia's efforts, Madrid still managed to break the deadlock.

An even braver side was fielded by Numancia boss Jagoba Arrasate after the break and the hosts managed to get Madrid on the back foot. Higinio burst into the box and looked to be tripped by Nacho, but the official once again refused to indulge the home fans who, needless to say, were livid.

Diamanka's dismissal sparked a tremendous reaction from the hosts, who enjoyed their best spell of the game when a man down. Iñigo Perez hit the crossbar with an audacious effort from distance as pressure mounted for a nervy Real Madrid. All doubts dissipated when Lucas Vazquez hit the deck in the area. The referee awarded the spot-kick.

Isco fired high into the net before Borja Mayoral nodded home a third in stoppage time. A harsh scoreline for Numancia who deserved more and Real will bask in the glory of the result which is a misrepresentation of the events that transpired at Los Pajaritos. Nevertheless, Zidane's men have set one foot in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals.