Real Madrid eclipses Barcelona to set new unbeaten Spanish record

  As the clocked ticked into the 93rd minute, it
looked as though Real Madrid's unbeaten run
was coming to an end.
Zinedine Zidane's team, without the rested
Cristiano Ronaldo and injured Gareth Bale, had
already equaled Barcelona's Spanish record of
39 games undefeated, but looked to be falling
just short of eclipsing its great rival.
Trailing 3-1 to Sevilla going into the final seven
minutes of the Copa del Rey round of 16 second
leg, Sergio Ramos' impudent Panenka penalty
halved the deficit and gave his side hope.
The Real captain, a former Sevilla player and a
product of its youth system, celebrated against a
backdrop of boos and middle fingers.
It wasn't until the final minute of injury time,
however, that Real got the equalizer.
Marcelo's deft back-heel found Karim Benzema
outside the penalty area, before the Frenchman
surged into the box and slotted the ball into the
bottom corner -- via a fortuitous deflection.
Cue rapturous scenes on the Real bench, as the
club set a new Spanish record of 40 games
unbeaten and qualified for the quarterfinal in the
process.

"It was a tough game, very draining," Zidane said
after the match. "They (Sevilla) played incredibly
well and deserved more from the game in truth.
"After that first goal we eased off a bit and they
were able to put two past us. In the end we
were able to get a draw. Over the course of the
two games we deserved to go through.
"We really had to soldier on against a resilient
side who are fast-paced and home support who
really pile the pressure on."
Real last tasted defeat against Wolfsburg in the
Champions League quarterfinal first leg in April.
In Zidane's 56 games as coach, the Frenchman
has won more titles than he has lost matches --
clinching the Champions League, Club World Cup
and UEFA Super Cup, while suffering just two
defeats.
The two sides meet again in La Liga Sunday with
Sevilla, rejuvenated this season under the
guidance of Argentine coach Jorge Sampaoli,
still in the title race and just four points behind
leader Real.
Zidane's side will then go on to play Celta Viga
in the Copa del Rey quarterfinal first leg next
Wednesday.