Real Madrid booked their place in the Copa del Rey round of 16 with a narrow 3-2 win away at Talavera, but the final score does little to hide the growing unease around this team.
On paper, qualification is all that matters. In reality, the way Madrid went about their business once again raised more questions than answers.
Kylian Mbappe was the clear difference-maker. Without him, this could easily have turned into a night remembered for all the wrong reasons.
Real Madrid were largely in control for long spells, yet never truly convincing.
Even in the closing stages, with the tie supposedly under control, there was a real sense that they could throw it away. That underlying fragility is becoming harder to ignore.
Now, much has already been said about the football itself, but beyond the goals and mistakes, this match carried several moments that went under the radar.
They tell a deeper story about the night, the atmosphere, and the emotions inside El Prado.
Talavera’s tifo
😈"𝐄𝐥 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐨 𝐝𝐞 𝐥𝐚 𝐑𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐚", el tifo de los hinchas locales del Talavera.
🎆¡Con fuegos artificiales de fondo!
📽️ @denis__iglesias pic.twitter.com/WFA8dcbmnz
— Diario SPORT (@sport) December 17, 2025
One of the most striking aspects was the organisation and passion shown by the home side and their supporters.
Talavera turned the occasion into a true event despite being unable to install additional stands.
Instead, creative solutions were found, with makeshift ‘VIP boxes’ placed in buildings facing the pitch.
Before kick-off, Talavera’s players soaked it all in, taking photos on the pitch, fully aware they were living one of the biggest nights of their careers.
As the game progressed, the stadium transformed into something special. In the second half, El Prado earned a new nickname from the stands.
A large tifo proudly declared the ground as “El Manicomio de la Reina” (The Queen’s Madhouse), and the supporters lived up to it.
They never stopped cheering, pushing their team forward with remarkable intensity.
It was a raw, authentic atmosphere that put many so-called modern “madhouses” to shame.
Angry reactions from Talavera fans
“𝐀𝐬𝐢́ 𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐚 𝐞𝐥 𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐝”🤬 Los cánticos de la afición del Talavera tras el gol de penalti de Mbappé
❔¿Era o no era penalti?
📽️ @denis__iglesias pic.twitter.com/RJR5b9n6Cp
— Diario SPORT (@sport) December 17, 2025
Tension reached a boiling point as the match unfolded. The contest was ultimately decided by a penalty, an own goal, and a costly mistake from Talavera goalkeeper Jaime Gonzalez.
Despite that error, he was outstanding for most of the night. After the match, Gonzalez, a known Real Madrid supporter, spoke openly about his feelings.
He made no effort to hide his belief that the big decisions were always going to favour the giants.
The frustration inside the stadium was understandable. From the stands came a sharp comparison aimed directly at Xabi Alonso’s side.
“Merida plays better than you do!” shouted the crowd, referencing the last team to visit El Prado in league action.
The anger soon shifted towards the officials and then towards the media.
Supporters demanded accountability, yelling “You have to write about this! Or who pays you?” before unleashing a bitter conclusion that echoed around the ground: “This is how Madrid wins.”
Celebrating the loss
pic.twitter.com/ocvkzh4uCT
— MadridistaDeAlma (@madridistaalmaa) December 17, 2025
Despite the controversy and disappointment, there was also pride. Talavera’s fans celebrated the effort, not the result.
Their team fought until the very end and came agonisingly close to equalising in the final minute, only for Andriy Lunin to make a decisive save.
It was a moment that summed up the night. Fine margins, brave resistance, and a giant surviving rather than dominating.
When the final whistle blew, El Prado did not fall silent. Instead, it applauded. Talavera’s players returned the gesture, clapping their supporters in what was arguably the biggest night of their careers.
Losing to Real Madrid was not treated as failure, but as proof that they belonged on this stage.