January 9, Bernabéu Stadium.
The second leg of the Copa del Rey round of 16, with Real Madrid facing Celta Vigo.
Just one hundred seconds into the match, Azpilicueta threw the ball in from the left. Yang Yang controlled it, turned, and unleashed a shot from a tight angle, firing a wonder goal past the opposing goalkeeper to give Real Madrid the lead.
Yang Yang had just won his sixth FIFA Golden Ball Award in Zurich, and he showed astonishing form at the Bernabéu.
In the twenty-fourth minute, Modrić sent a through ball forward. Yang Yang beat the offside trap and went one-on-one, calmly slotting the ball home to score again.
After the halftime break, Real Madrid won the ball in midfield and launched a counterattack. Hazard forced his way forward before sending a pass to Yang Yang, who burst into the left side of the penalty area and scored with a shot from a tight angle. Three-nil!
Hat-trick!
Just two minutes later, another one-two involving Yang Yang helped Xabi Alonso score with a low shot.
Four-nil!
Real Madrid defeated Celta Vigo four-nil at home, thanks to Yang Yang's hat-trick and assist, and smoothly advanced to the quarterfinals.
Since Real Madrid had advanced to the Copa del Rey quarterfinals, the postponed league match that had originally been scheduled also had to be delayed again.
The quarterfinal draw was soon announced, and Real Madrid had been drawn against Valencia.
They were another difficult opponent.
January 12, Navarra King Stadium.
The nineteenth round of La Liga, with Real Madrid visiting Osasuna.
The match was played in torrential rain, leaving the pitch muddy.
Because of the team's relentless schedule and the trip to Zurich to receive his award, Yang Yang was rested as a precaution and left on the bench. Young