Report: Cadiz 4 United 2
The Reds got off to a bad start, falling behind in only the eighth minute from a set piece. Alex Fernandez took a short free-kick on the right-hand side and when possession was returned to him by Ivan Alejo, the Cadiz captain whipped in a cross to the far post where young defender Carlos Garcia stooped to head the ball past Dubravka from inside the six-yard box.
Six minutes later, the deficit was doubled. Good work by Brian Ocampo set Fernandez free on the left flank and when his low delivery into the box was stepped over by former Manchester City striker Alvaro Negredo, Honduras international Choco Lozano hammered home a first-time finish.
Between the two Cadiz goals, Anthony Martial forced the first save from the hosts' goalkeeper Jeremías Ledesma, who dived left to push away the Frenchman's effort and keep his side in front. But our no.9 would not be denied when the pair next eyeballed each other, after referee Jesus Gil Manzano awarded United a penalty.
The incident was preceded by Anthony Elanga driving at the Cadiz defence with electric pace on the left side, only to be upended outside the area. Play was allowed to continue and seconds later, Zidane Iqbal's clever one-two with Martial enabled him to break into the box where he was hauled down by centre-back Luis Hernandez. Martial stepped up and dinked his spot-kick calmly down the middle, Panenka-style, to give the Reds a foothold in the contest after 21 minutes.
Garnacho and Elanga carried a greater threat from the flanks as the half unfolded but United would have to wait until after the break, when Ten Hag replaced all 10 outfield players, to create another clearcut chance.
