Rodrygo honors Pelé, Real Madrid advances in Copa del Rey

SMA NEWS – MADRID
Rodrygo scored in the second half and celebrated by honoring the late Pelé as Real Madrid edged fourth-division club Cacereño 1-0 to advance to the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey on Tuesday.
The Brazil forward broke the deadlock in the 69th minute, dribbling past two defenders inside the area before sending a curling right-footed shot into the top corner, then celebrated by imitating Pelé’s traditional punch in the air.
Pelé died at age 82 on Thursday and was buried in Brazil on Tuesday.
Madrid was making its Copa debut in the round of 32 because it was among the four teams in the Spanish Super Cup, along with Barcelona, Real Betis and Valencia.
Rodrygo was among the few regular starters used by coach Carlo Ancelotti, who rested players such as Karim Benzema, Vinícius Júnior and Luka Modric.
Eden Hazard started but was substituted just before Rodrygo opened the scoring.