News Archive

Copa del Rey, quarter finals, second leg

Defending champions Barcelona will join Sevilla, Valencia and Leganés in tomorrow’s semi-final draw after they beat city neighbours Espanyol 2-0 on Thursday. With less than ten minutes gone, a Luis Suárez header from Aleix Vidal’s cross cancelled out the visitors’ first leg lead, and a few minutes later Messi got the second with a shot which deflected off Naldo past Pau López. However an away goal would have changed things around again, and although Messi headed against the bar late on, the result was in doubt right up to the end. (25.01.18)

A major shock in the cup on Wednesday night, Real Madrid knocked out by city neighbours Leganés on the away goal rule after the second leg ended 1-2 to the visitors. Leganés themselves had never even reached the quarter final stage in their history, and a goal down from the first leg it appeared that they had little chance. However Eraso took advantage of a poor pass by Achraf to curl a shot past Casilla to level the tie, and although Benzema made it all square just a minute after the restart, Gabriel headed the winner from a corner a few minutes later. Earlier in the evening Valencia made it through to the semi-finals, although they had to do so on penalties after a 2-1 defeat at Alavés. Munir’s opener later on in the second half was cancelled out by a strike by Santi Mina, but a goal with four minutes to go by Rubén Sobrino took the tie into extra time and then penalties. Jaume saved two spot kicks though from Pedraza and Hernán Pérez, and although Sivera also stopped one from Kondogbia, Sobrino fired his last kick over the top to take the Ches through. (24.01.18)

Sevilla are the first team through to the semi-finals of the cup after they beat Atlético Madrid 3-1 on Tuesday night. Already 2-1 up from the first leg, Escudero connected with Sarabia’s cross to increase the lead in only the first minute. Griezmann fired one back a few minutes later, but Banega converted a penalty after Saúl Ñíguez bundled over Joaquín Correa straight after the restart, and Sarabia added the third after Franco Vázquez put him through with ten minutes to go. (23.01.18)