Alavés, Celta, Atlético Madrid and Barcelona will be the four semi-finalists of the cup this year after they won through their quarter-final second leg ties. A 0-0 draw at home to Alcorcón on Tuesday was enough to take Alavés through after a 0-2 win in the first leg, and the following day Celta knocked out Real Madrid after drawing 2-2 in the Balaidos stadium, a Danilo own goal and a strike by Daniel Wass twice adding to the Galicians’ lead from last week before Ronaldo and Lucas Vázquez pegged them back to an aggregate 4-3 scoreline. Atlético Madrid also drew 2-2 against Eibar, with defenders Giménez and Juanfran netting for Simeone’s side and Sergi Enrich and Pedro León on the scoresheet for the hosts, but Atleti had already done enough the week before to cruise through comfortably. And on Thursday Barcelona qualified for the semis for the seventh year in a row after a 5-2 victory over Real Sociedad, Denis Suárez (twice), Messi (from the penalty spot), Luis Suárez and Arda Turan the scorers for the Catalans, and Juanmi and Willian José getting consolation goals for the visitors.

Real Madrid’s disappointment in the cup was offset by a good weekend for them in the league, Kovacic, Ronaldo and Morata scoring in a 3-0 victory over fifth placed Real Sociedad, whilst the three teams immediately below them all failed to win. Second placed Sevilla lost 3-1 at Espanyol, Gerard Moreno one of the scorers there, Barcelona were held to a 1-1 draw by Betis, Luis Suárez saving a point with a last minute strike, and Atlético could only draw 0-0 at Alavés. All of that took Zidane’s team four points clear at the top with a game still in hand. Meanwhile Athletic Bilbao took advantage to close up on the European spots, Aduríz securing a 2-1 victory against Sporting Gijón with a late penalty. (31.01.17)

Pichichi League Cup ** Europe * Total (Penalties)
Messi (Barcelona) 15 4 10 29 (4)
Luis Suárez (Barcelona) 16 3 2 21 (0)
Ronaldo (Real Madrid) 13 1 6 20 (5)
Iago Aspas (Celta) 11 2 2 15 (3)
Ben Yedder (Sevilla) 8 5 2 15 (3)
Griezmann (Atlético) 8 3 3 14 (0)
Aduríz (Athletic) 7 1 6 14 (6)
Arda Turan (Barcelona) 3 6 4 13 (0)
Benzema (Real Madrid) 5 1 6 12 (0)
Willian José (Real Soc) 9 2 0 11 (2)
Vietto (Sevilla) 6 3 1 10 (0)
Carrasco (Atlético) 6 2 2 10 (0)
Morata (Real Madrid) 6 2 2 10 (0)
Sandro (Málaga) 7 2 0 9 (0)
Juanmi (Real Sociedad) 5 4 0 9 (0)
Raúl García (Athletic) 5 3 1 9 (1)
Neymar (Barcelona) 5 2 2 9 (3)
Rubén Castro (Betis) 8 0 0 8 (1)
Gerard Moreno (Espanyol) 8 0 0 8 (0)
Sansone (Villarreal) 7 0 1 8 (1)
Gameiro (Atlético) 6 1 1 8 (1)
Ramos (Real Madrid) 6 1 1 8 (1)

* Includes Club World Cup
** Includes Spanish Super Cup