MADRID: Jose Mourinho gave four B team players a place in the starting line up at the Bernabeu, including an official debut for winger Denis Cheryshev.
However, it was the established figures of Jose Callejon with two, and substitute Angel Di Maria with one, who grabbed late goals in a 3-0 victory, as Real triumphed 7-1 on aggregate over third-tier Alcoyano in the King’s Cup on Tuesday.
Tiny Cacereno from the Spanish third tier came within centimetres of upsetting Malaga, winning 1-0 at the Rosaleda but going out on the away goals rule 4-4 on aggregate.
Qatar-owned Malaga, who lie fourth in La Liga and who have cruised into the last-16 of the Champions League, were clinging on desperately at the end of their last-32 second leg with luck on their side.
Winger Chapi pounced on a loose ball after a free-kick to put the visitors ahead in the 37th minute and they sensed an upset towards the end of the second half.
Malaga defender Martin Demichelis diverted a goal-bound shot just wide of his own post and goalkeeper Carlos Kameni pushed another shot into the side-netting in the closing stages.
In other games, Real Betis and Osasuna both moved in to the last 16, while second division Cordoba and Las Palmas claimed the scalps of top-flight side to progress.
Cordoba upset Real Sociedad taking advantage of some poor defending to draw 2-2 and make the next round 4-2 on aggregate.
Las Palmas ousted Rayo 1-0 on aggregate grabbing a goalless draw after the home side had their keeper sent off. (Reuters)