Copa del Rey, semi final first leg

Betis 0 - Athletic Bilbao 0

The outcome of the second semi-final is in the balance after Betis and Athletic Bilbao drew 0-0. The visitors had the better of the first half, with Doblas making a couple of important saves from Yeste and Del Horno hitting the post shortly before the break. Assunçao tested Lafuente at the other end after the restart and had a penalty appeal turned down by referee Daudén Ibañez after the keeper brought him down later on, but otherwise Valverde's side were in control and came away with the result they wanted. Everything now will be decided in the San Mamés stadium in three weeks' time. (21.04.05)

Osasuna 1 - Atlético Madrid 0

Osasuna took a big step towards their first ever Spanish cup final after beating Atlético Madrid in the opening game of the semi-finals. The Pamplona based side dominated the first half, and could have scored a couple of times before Valdo finally beat Leo Franco midway through the first half following a corner. The visitors hardly caused any problems for local keeper Elía, even when César Ferrando threw on extra forwards after the break. And when the home side were left with ten men after Cuéllar was sent off for a second bookable offence near the end, local coach Javier Aguirre ran down the clock with a series of late substitutions. (20.04.05)

News archive