Lots of goals again in the cup, with no less than eleven in the two games which opened the quarter-finals. Rossi and Negredo (twice) were amongst the scorers as Villarreal and Sevilla drew 3-3, and Messi scored yet another hat-trick, with Pedro and Keita wrapping things up, as Barcelona thrashed second division leaders Betis 5-0. The following day a Rindaroy own goal gave Almería a 1-0 win over Deportivo, and Real Madrid beat city rivals Atlético 3-1, with Ramos, Ronaldo and Özil getting the goals for the Merengues after Forlán had opened the scoring for the visitors.

On to the weekend, and Barcelona set a new record of 62 goals for the first half of the league campaign after a 4-1 win over Málaga on Sunday. Messi didn't score this time, but Villa got two and Pedro another to take both on to sixteen goals in all club competitions this season. Real Madrid dropped two vital points though at Almería later in the evening, Ulloa netting one of the most memorable goals in his career before Granero saved a point for Mourinho's side. The day before Negredo scored again for Sevilla, although this time it didn't prevent a 1-2 defeat to Espanyol, and on Monday Forlán was on the scoresheet for the second time this week as Atlético beat Mallorca 3-0. (18.01.11)