Copa del Rey

Second round

The last three ties were played on Thursday, with Huesca, Alcorcón and UCAM Murcia all going through to tomorrow’s third round draw. Huesca and Alcorcón both won 1-0 against Girona and Getafe respectively, David Ferreiro and Iván Alejo the goalscorers. UCAM though had to wait for extra time before they beat Oviedo 4-3, Vicente getting the winner late on. The university team were actually 3-1 up with ten minutes to go, but two late strikes by prodigal son Michu forced the added 30 minutes. (08.09.16)

The star cup match on Wednesday evening was between two of the second division’s three joint leaders, Valladolid beating Zaragoza 1-2 to progess through to the next stage. New signing Bagnack gifted a goal to Michel and then put through his own net, and Popa’s header came too late to change the result. The other team in the top three have been knocked out as well, Levante losing 3-2 in a penalty shoot-out at Cádiz after the game ended 1-1. Local keeper Jesús saved three of the spot kicks to see the Andalusians through. Elsewhere Nàstic and Mallorca both won 1-0 in extra time against Numancia and Reus respectively, José Carlos and Brandon getting the goals to give their teams their first victories of the season.

The twelve ties between lower ranked sides took place on Wednesday, with regional third division sides Formentera and Cirbonero beating La Hoya Lorca and Racing Ferrol in exciting penalty shoot-outs. Calahorra though lost 3-1 at Cultural Leonesa. Hércules and Amorebieta also needed penalties to decide their ties at Cartagena and Barakaldo, and there were victories as well for Tudelano, Caudal, Guijuelo, Toledo, Racing Santander, Cornellà and Albacete, the only one of the teams relegated last season to qualify for the third round. All will be paired together in the upcoming draw, with the six winners seeded to meet Spain’s biggest clubs at the two-leg fourth round stage. (07.09.16)

The second round of the Spanish cup took place this week, with second division A clubs entering for the first time. As usual, they have been kept separate from the lower ranked sides, Sevilla B ineligible and Córdoba being given a bye straight through to the third round. Three of the ties took place on Tuesday, with away teams Elche, Tenerife and Rayo Vallecano all overcoming their respective hosts, Mirandés, Lugo and Almería. Elche had to do so on penalties though after their match ended 2-2 after 30 minutes of extra time. Rayo meanwhile will be happy with their performance after losing 0-3 to their opponents in the league at the weekend. (06.09.16)