Leaders Real Madrid Crash Out of Copa del Rey

By: Martha | January 17th, 2008

Both La Liga leaders Real Madrid and holders Sevilla are out of the Copa del Rey after the round of 16 wrapped up last night.

Real went down 3-1 on aggregate after a 1-0 home loss to Mallorca, in a match notable primarily for the home side’s futility: Real outshot the visitors by a staggering margin, but failed to put the ball in the back of the net, thanks both to a spectacular night from Mallorca keeper Moyá and their own inability to finish even when it seemed far easier than missing.

There was a yellow card given for a Real dive in the box, and at least two other good opportunities to give out more cards for simulation, as well a legitimate penalty shout. Eventually, it was a morbid kind of justice when Mallorca substitute Ariel Ibagaza put his team into the lead for good with their first shot on target in 82 minutes.

Also going out were cup holders Sevilla, who drew 0-0 with Barcelona on Tuesday, a result that sent the host through to the quarters on the away goals rule (the first leg had ended 1-1). It was a tight, defensive battle, totally free of the creativity and excitement one expects from Barca (even without Samuel Eto’o, who’s busy with the African Cup of Nations). Sevilla had the majority of the pressure early and threatened twice late, with a goal correctly ruled out for offside, and a screaming free kick from Daniel Alves that just skimmed the top of the Barca crossbar, but they were never able to break through, and will be denied the chance to defend their title.

Other results from the round of 16:

Espanyol 1 – 1 Athletic (2-2 agg.) (Ath. win on pens.)
Levante 0 – 1 Getafe (0-4 agg.): More misery for Levante.
Racing 4 – 2 Zaragoza (5-3 agg.)
Valladolid 1 – 1 Atletico (1-1 agg.)
Villarreal 2 – 0 Recreativo (2-1 agg.): None other than Giuseppe Rossi scored the winning goal in extra time to put Villareal through.
Valencia 2 – 1 Betis (4-2 agg.)

And the quarters are set, with the following match-ups in place:

Getafe-Mallorca
Valencia-Atletico
Villareal-Barcelona (SWEET!)
Racing-Athletic