Raul hat-trick not enough to save Real Madrid from Spanish Cup woes

A hat-trick by Real Madrid's iconic striker Raul taking him to 300 goals for the club was not enough to save them from exiting the Spanish Cup on Tuesday despite a 4-3 last 32 second leg victory over Third Division Real Union.

Union progressed thanks to the away goal rule having beaten Real 3-2 in the first leg.

The Spanish giants will be asking questions of their defence which was largely a first choice one save the absence of goalkeeper Iker Casillas – who was replaced by Polish guardian Jerzy Dudek – with Italy World Cup winning captain Fabio Cannavaro leading the line.

Their recent habit of conceding a lot of goals at home – eight in their last three matches – left their German coach Bernd Schuster non-plussed.

“I have no idea,” said Schuster, who guided them to the title last season, in answer to the leaking of goals.

“I am not worried (about the amount of goals) but I understand that other people might well be and have doubts about my work.

“That would be logical seeing what has happened.”

However, Schuster said that his side had not merited going out.

“We have gone out because of one goal. It is not that they dominated us, that is actually what is worrying.”

The reigning Spanish champions look set to be joined on the Cup sidelines on Wednesday by last season's league runners-up Villarreal, who require a miracle after they lost the first leg 5-0 to minnows Polideportivo Ejido.