Copa del Rey, third round second leg

Atlético Madrid completed the formalities in the last match on Thursday, beating second division B side Lorca 2-0 to complete the quarter final line up. Despite a two goal advantage from the first leg, César Ferrando wasn't taking any chances and put out a strong side. But it was not until after the interval that they finally managed to make the break-through, youngster Braulio opening the scoring after substitute Salva set him up, and then adding a second goal near the end after combining with Colsa. (20.01.05)

Real Madrid are out of the cup! The league's most successful side in European and domestic league competitions have not won the domestic king's cup in twelve years, and they will have to wait a little longer after they were knocked out by second division Valladolid. Despite a scoreless draw from the first leg, Luxemburgo decided to rest most of his top names, giving a first start to new signings Gravesen and Portillo. But after a first half in which the visitors almost went ahead when a Sousa free kick crashed off the bar, the new coach decided to bring on Ronaldo, Raúl and Zidane at the break. Michael Owen appeared to have settled it when he latched on to Raúl's through ball to beat Lledó midway through the second half, but the visitors got the vital away goal a few minutes later when Xavi Moré shot through Raúl Bravo's legs to take the scoreline to 1-1 and give Sergio Kresic's side a place in Friday's quarter final draw.

Athletic Bilbao had no such problems dealing with lowly Lanzarote, and they recovered from the 2-1 defeat in the first leg to thrash their opponents 6-0 in the San Mamés stadium. The hero of the night was youth international Fernando Llorente, who scored a hat-trick in only his second game for the first team to stake a claim for a place in Ernesto Valverde's squad. The youngster opened the scoring midway through the first half when he headed on Iraola's cross, and then set up Etxeberría for a second later on before completing his hat-trick with two headed goals after the restart. Ezquerro and Orbaiz added two more later on for the final result.

Numancia also made it through to the quarter finals, although they had to resort to a penalty shoot out after their 1-0 win against Elche cancelled out the first leg result. Half time substitute Miguel López got the only goal with a deflected shot after the interval to level the tie, and Miguel (twice) and Lee Chun Soo both hit the woodwork before Alvaro Nuñez won it for them with a penalty save from Nino.

An exciting match at Getafe, where Osasuna came out victors despite a 3-2 result on the night. Craioveanu gave the locals side hope with a spectacular volley early on, but Muñoz levelled the scores on the half hour mark. Strikes from Kome and Cotelo either side of half time took the Madrid based side to within a goal of victory, but a second goal from Muñoz a quarter of an hour from the end put an end to their aspirations.

Not much to talk about though at Betis, where the first division side were held to a 0-0 draw by second division B club Mirandés, but still made it through to the quarter finals thanks to a 1-3 result from the first leg. Serra Ferrer used the occasion to give a run out to some of his second string players, but all they could manage was a shot against the post by Alfonso, and visiting keeper Tito did the rest. (19.01.05)

Another round of Spanish cup matches this week, with eight second leg ties taking place over the next three days. We already have the first surprise of the week though, second division B side Gramanet beating fellow Catalans Lleida 2-1 on aggregate to make it through to the last eight for the first time in their history. Defending a 2-0 lead from the first leg, the underdogs held on until shortly before half time, when Santos beat Morales after Oscar García's pass was deflected into his path. But even when the visitors were left with ten men after Xavi Gracia was sent off for a second bookable offence near the end, Lleida couldn't score, Morales making a couple of key saves once again to take his side through.

Sevilla are also into the quarter finals in their centenary year after beating Recreativo Huelva 2-1. Caparrós's side also had a two goal advantage from the first leg, but for a few minutes they were up against it after Xavi Jiménez pulled one back on the follow up after Notario saved his penalty kick on the half hour mark. Pablo Ruiz levelled the scores though a quarter of an hour in to the second half, and Aranda wrapped things up with an individualist goal twenty minutes from the end. Sevilla's Martí was sent off in the final minutes, but by then it was all over. (18.01.05)