"Was Mesut Ozil playing" - Real Madrid fans heap praise on 19-year-old star after stellar display in 5-0 cup win over Deportiva Minera

Fans were impressed with Arda Guler’s performance in Real Madrid’s clash with Deportiva Minera in the round of 32 of the Copa del Rey on Monday (January 6). The Turkish prodigy scored a brace as Los Blancos thrashed the Segunda Federación side 5-0 to book their spot in the last 16 of the competition.

Real Madrid entered the contest as top dogs and as expected, they were already ahead in the fifth minute when Federico Valverde pounced on a loose ball to beat goalkeeper Fran Martinez.

Eduardo Camavinga doubled Los Blancos’ lead nine minutes later by burying a close-range header low in the middle of the goal after an impressive run and cross from Fran Garcia. Arda Guler added a third in the 28th minute as he wriggled past two Deportiva Minera players before unleashing a shot that deflected and nestled in the right side of the net.

Luka Modric compounded the hosts' woes 10 minutes after the restart, curling home a shot after a one-two exchange with Brahim Diaz. Guler added the cherry on the cake as he tapped home a pass from Fran Garcia in the 88th minute to give Real Madrid an emphatic 5-0 victory.

Arda Guler had a passing accuracy of 86% (61/71), 95 touches, registered six shots (four on target), created three big chances, and made five key passes. The 19-year-old also completed three dribbles from four attempts, won eight out of 12 duels, and had a perfect score of 10, as per Sofascore. He was declared the Man of the Match.

Fans took to X (formerly Twitter) to heap praise on the Turkish prodigy. Here are some of the best reactions.

"Arda Guler ghosted the first half, it was Mesut Ozil that’s playing,'' an X user wrote.

Another tweeted:

''Güler played so good man, did he fr get a 10/10?''

''If Guler got more minutes he would be better than Yamal,'' another opined.

''Arda guler better than barcelona's any youngsters,'' another asserted.

''Arda Guler has been so good the opponent couldn’t wait full time to ask for his Jersey 😭😭😭," another chimed in.

''I'm thrilled to be chipping in'' - Arda Guler after Real Madrid’s 5-0 win against Deportiva Minera

Real Madrid’s Arda Guler was pleased with his side’s performance after they thumped Deportiva Minera at the Cartagonova Stadium on Mondy. The 19-year-old said he was happy to score a brace but more excited that they won the match.

Guler said (via the club’s official website):

"We put in a great team performance. I hope we can keep winning these games, playing this well and making our fans happy. It was a fantastic team display today, I hope we can keep playing like this. I try and give my very best with every opportunity I get. I got the goals today and helped the team. I'm thrilled to be chipping in but the win was the most important thing."

Real Madrid will next be in action against Mallorca in the semifinal of the Supercopa de Espana on Thursday (January 9).