Real suffer incredible thrashing by minnows

The Real Madrid legend is reaching the end of his career (GETTY IMAGES)

The Real Madrid manager Manuel Pellegrini was last night clinging to his job after the most humiliating defeat in the club's history. Real were beaten 4-0 in the Spanish Cup by a third division side.

Having spent more money in one pre-season than any club in history, Real were expected to turn over minnows Alcorcon in the first leg of the fourth round of the cup. But Alcorcon went in 3-0 up before half-time and added a fourth in the second half to leave Madrid fans calling for coach Pellegrini's head. The Chilean sent a strong side out aware that after drawing one and losing two of his last three matches he could not afford to lose.

Alcorcon, though, were in charge by half-time thanks to Borja's 16th-minute opener, an own goal from Alvaro Arbeloa in the 22nd minute, and a strike from Ernesto five minutes before the break. Borja struck again after 52 minutes.

It was Alcorcon's first ever game against Madrid. The club with just 300 season ticket holders are currently sixth in Spain's third division – more akin to the Blue Square Conference than England's League Two. They have a 3,000 capacity stadium and a team full of youngsters and journeymen but Madrid with Raul and €30m summer signing Karim Benzema leading their attack were easily beaten.