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Real Madrid too good for Cornella in Copa del Rey

Raphael Varane headed in two corner kicks to help Real Madrid start their Copa del Rey title defence with a 4-1 win at third-division Cornella on Wednesday.

The France centre-back opened the scoring in the 10th minute of the first leg before Cornella striker Oscar Munoz levelled to the delight of the home fans in the 20th.

But Varane struck again from a corner in the 36th minute before forward Javier Hernandez and Marcelo added goals in the second half.

Hernandez rolled Madrid's third past Segovia in the 53rd minute. Marcelo then went on and fired in a rebound of Isco's shot.

A semi-professional team, Cornella fielded a starting XI that included a dentist, a topographer and an employee of the city's bike-sharing scheme.

The match was played at Espanyol's Power8 Stadium, in the Barcelona neighborhood whose name Cornella shares. Cornella reached the deal to play at the 40,000-seat stadium because their home ground only holds 1,500.

Not too far away, Iago Aspas hit a hat trick as Sevilla won 6-1 at second-division Sabadell to take control of their tie.

Defender Timothee Kolodziejczak opened the scoring for Sevilla in the 28th minute and Aspas, playing on loan from Liverpool, volleyed home in the 43rd minute before adding another in the 60th.

Jose Antonio Reyes earned a penalty that Kevin Gameiro converted in the 66th before Reyes scored from long distance in the 70th. Sabadell's Ernest Forgas managed a consolation goal in the 75th minute before Aspas scored his third with an injury-time penalty.

Wednesday's games were brought forward because Madrid is playing in the FIFA Club World Cup in December. The other first legs of this round will be played in the first week in December.