Real Madrid eased into the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey with a 1-0 win over Espanyol at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday to progress 2-0 on aggregate.
Jese Rodriguez got the only goal of the game after just eight minutes as Madrid set a club record by not conceding for the eighth consecutive game.
Espanyol keeper Kiko Casilla managed to keep the score down as he frustrated Cristiano Ronaldo on a number of occasions.
However, it was to no avail as the visitors couldn’t find a way through and ended with 10 men after Victor Sanchez was sent off late on for two bookable offences.
Real boss Carlo Ancelotti praised the excellent start to 2014 made by his side’s central defenders as they sealed an eighth win in January without conceding a single goal.
“I think that the system gives us confidence. We have good defensive balance because the whole team works to recover the ball quickly and the central defenders have been playing at a very high level.”
Real will now face Atletico Madrid or Athletic Bilbao in the last four with city rivals Atletico taking a 1-0 advantage into their second leg against the Basques on Wednesday.
Los Blancos also face high-flying Athletic in the league on Sunday and Ancelotti insisted that despite Jese netting the winner in the absence of the injured Gareth Bale, the Welshman will start at San Mames if he is fit.
“If Bale is fine then he will play, but that is not to say that Jese isn’t another option because he is very dangerous at the moment.
“I don’t care who we meet (in the next round) because both teams are in very good form. We all know everything about Atletico Madrid, but Athletic are playing very well too and it will be a very difficult and important tie.”
Jese continued his case for more first team action as he confidently fired them ahead after being found by a fine long-range ball by Xabi Alonso.
Casilla could have done better on the goal, but he more than redeemed himself for the rest of the half as he made a series of saves, most notably from Ronaldo and Angel di Maria.
The visitors began to provide a threat of their own towards the end of the half and Pizzi was unlucky to see his sweetly-struck volley fly over the bar a minute before the break.
Casilla denied Ronaldo once more with another excellent stop at the beginning of the second period.
However, it was Real goalkeeper Iker Casillas who made the headlines in the second-half as he broke another club record by extending his own personal run without conceding a goal past 11 hours.
And any doubt over the result of the tie was ended when Sanchez was shown a second yellow card for handball 13 minutes from time.
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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if you go
The flights
Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines fly direct from the UAE to Singapore from Dh2,265 return including taxes. The flight takes about 7 hours.
The hotel
Rooms at the M Social Singapore cost from SG $179 (Dh488) per night including taxes.
The tour
Makan Makan Walking group tours costs from SG $90 (Dh245) per person for about three hours. Tailor-made tours can be arranged. For details go to www.woknstroll.com.sg
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Jigra
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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Dubai World Cup factbox
Most wins by a trainer: Godolphin’s Saeed bin Suroor(9)
Most wins by a jockey: Jerry Bailey(4)
Most wins by an owner: Godolphin(9)
Most wins by a horse: Godolphin’s Thunder Snow(2)
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
Joker: Folie a Deux
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson
Director: Todd Phillips
Rating: 2/5
The biog
Favourite food: Fish and seafood
Favourite hobby: Socialising with friends
Favourite quote: You only get out what you put in!
Favourite country to visit: Italy
Favourite film: Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.
Family: We all have one!
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding