Vinicius eases Real woes

Vinicius Junior starred and Real Madrid steadied the ship as a 3-0 win over Leganes on Wednesday put them on the brink of the Copa del Rey quarter-finals.

Vinicius, the 18-year-old signed by Madrid last summer, capped an electric display at the Santiago Bernabeu with a stunning volley, his third goal for the club and the team's third of the night.

By then, Sergio Ramos had converted a first-half penalty and Lucas Vazquez doubled the advantage to set Madrid on their way to a much-needed first victory of 2019.

It will take a seismic comeback for Leganes to overturn the deficit in next week's second leg but more important to coach Santiago Solari was the rhythm regained, following two La Liga games without a victory.

"He is taking big steps," Solari said afterwards. "He has always had the ability but to develop it and show it in the Bernabeu, alongside so many great players, speaks of his confidence and his courage."

Vinicius had been at the centre of things last weekend too after being denied a controversial penalty during the second half of Real Sociedad's shock win.

He finally got the goal his performance deserved after Odriozola floated a cross to the back post. Back-pedalling, the teenager adjusted his feet before swivelling into an acrobatic shot, the ball flying into left-hand corner.