James Rodriguez shines in absence of Cristiano Ronaldo as Real Madrid win

Real Madrid mark one-year anniversary of Zinedine Zidane taking over as manager with 3-0 win over Sevilla in Copa del Rey.

Real Madrid's James from Colombia, centre right, celebrates after scoring a goal during a Spain's King's Cup match against Sevilla C.F. at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain. AP Photo

Real Madrid marked the one-year anniversary of Zinedine Zidane taking over as manager by moving a giant stride closer to the Copa del Rey quarter-finals with a comprehensive 3-0 win over Sevilla.

The Spanish giants were playing their first match since capturing the Club World Cup title following victory over Japanese underdogs Kashima Antlers last month.

The architect of that 4-2 victory on December 18, Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored a hat-trick in Yokohama, was rested, with Karim Benzema an unused substitute, but Madrid still had more than enough to see off their Primera Liga rivals in this last-16 first leg tie at the Bernabeu.

James Rodriguez opened the scoring with his strike from outside the area after 11 minutes as Madrid sought to extend an exceptional 37-game unbeaten streak in all competitions.

Raphael Varane doubled Madrid’s advantage just before the half hour by converting Toni Kroos’s corner before Rodriguez put them three goals to the good a minute before half time.

The Colombian converted from the penalty spot after Luka Modric was fouled in the area and although there were no further goals in the second half, the scoreline ensured a happy evening for Zidane, who marked one year at the helm of the capital club in style.

Elsewhere, goals from Willian Jose, Carlos Vela and Mikel Oyarzabal put Real Sociedad on their way to a comfortable victory over Villarreal.

However, Trigueros pulled one back to make it 3-1 on the night and give the Yellow Submarine a vital lifeline ahead of the second leg at El Madrigal in a week’s time.

Second-tier clubs Alcorcon and Cordoba played out a goalless draw at Estadio Santo Domingo.

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