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Cassano debut goal gives Real Cup advantage
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-01-19 09:24

MADRID, Jan 18 (Reuters) - Italy striker Antonio Cassano scored four minutes into his Real Madrid debut to give them a 1-0 win over Real Betis in the first leg of their King's Cup quarter-final on Wednesday.

Real Madrid's Antonio Cassano of Italy (C) looks at the ball next to Real Betis' Antonio Doblas (L) and Sergio Ramos before scoring during their Spanish King's cup soccer match quarter-final first leg at the Manuel Ruiz de Lopera stadium in Seville January 18, 2006.
Real Madrid's Antonio Cassano of Italy (C) looks at the ball next to Real Betis' Antonio Doblas (L) and Sergio Ramos before scoring during their Spanish King's cup soccer match quarter-final first leg at the Manuel Ruiz de Lopera stadium in Seville January 18, 2006. [Reuters]
Holders Betis had looked the more dangerous side until substitute Cassano's 65th-minute goal in an intense match in Seville with few chances.

The former AS Roma striker replaced Roberto Soldado after an hour, just before Capi saw his goalbound header cleared from under Real's bar by the head of Brazilian defender Cicinho.

Guti's free kick four minutes later was headed high into the area. Toni Doblas came out to clear but the Betis keeper flapped at the ball with his attempted punch and it dropped at Cassano's feet for the simplest of tap-ins.

Cassano told reporters: "I am delighted with the goal but the victory for the team is much more important."

The result makes it three wins from three in all competitions for Juan Ramon Lopez Caro's improving side and leaves Betis with all the work to do in the second leg at the Bernabeu.

In the day's other quarter-final first leg, Espanyol won 2-0 at Cadiz thanks to a 51st-minute goal by new signing Walter Pandiani and a fine individual effort from Fredson near the end.

Deportivo Coruna take on Valencia at home on Thursday.

SPIRITED FIGHTBACK

In their delayed last-16 second leg, Real Zaragoza survived a spirited fight-back from Atletico Madrid to draw 2-2 and book a quarter-final showdown with league leaders Barcelona.

Zaragoza progressed 3-2 on aggregate.
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