AS.com

With Real Madrid settling the tie with a 4-1 victory in the first leg in Alcoy, the focus in the second leg was on Madrid's younger and more inexperienced players. In the end the 3-0 scoreline flattered José Mourinho's side, who were unable to break the deadlock against the Segunda B side until Karim Benzema and Ángel Di María were called into action.

Madrid were never in danger of losing the game but the addition of the two internationals brought a welcome change to what was a boring evening of football, a goalless draw until Benzema fed Di María on 71 minutes and the Argentine rifled home.

With the wind in their sails and Alcoyano down to 10 men after Javi Selvas was sent off for a second bookable offence, José Callejón put the icing on the cake for Madrid with two late goals.

What should have been a night to celebrate the future of Madrid's young players got off to an awful start, with Raúl Albiol falling injured in the first minute and having to be substituted for Fabio Coentrao. Ricardo Carvalho again looked as if he was off the pace, while Varane put in a minimalist performance.

However, the performance of the six academy players was much more positive news for Madridistas.

Nacho looked mature, assured and reliable in defence, while José Rodríguez showed the most ability of the youngsters, demonstrating a great touch.

Cheryshev had energy to burn and will need to watch his temper, but he could well turn out to be a future winger for the first team, while more was expected of Álvaro Morata, who suffered without Di María and Cristiano alongside him.

Mesut Özil, who needed to prove himself after his disappointing performance against Real Betis last weekend, failed to make his mark on the game, aside from his majestic pass for the second goal.

The game is unlikely to remain in the memory of football fans for long - an uneventful, dull affair only rescued by the brilliance of Benzema, Higuaín and Callejón, which served to highlight the large gap in class between the first team and the second string.