Atlético de Madrid, Getafe, Girona, Rayo and Alavés have completed their qualification for the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey. The five will go into the pot in the draw, which will take place next Monday at 1:00 p.m. Cup day was the protagonist of Spanish football on the traditional Epiphany Day.
Atlético de Madrid suffered more than what was indicated on the scoreboard and eliminated Lugo, a team from the First Federation that gave very good sensations and at times cornered the Madrid team. The cup is not a tournament that unleashes Simeone's passions but Atlético, far from Real Madrid and Girona in LaLiga, cannot miss any chances of winning the title this season. Against Lugo, the Argentine coach opted for a serious eleven with some unusual players.
Everything seemed to be going smoothly for Atlético after two minutes when Javi Galán passed a goal pass to Correa, allowing the striker to make it 0-1. But little by little, Lugo caused the overwhelmed Atlético into difficulties over time. In the 34th minute, Giménez parried a ball under the goal post defended by Oblak. Local player Nacho Quintana could see a straight red card for a hard tackle on Riquelme. He was saved and Lugo equalized after a great move from Antonetti. The Puerto Rican striker threw Söyüncü and beat Oblak with a great left-footed shot.
Simeone brought on Griezmann, Koke and De Paul at half-time. The equalizer remained for many minutes until Memphis made it 1-2 after some good play inside the penalty area. The Dutch striker made it 1-3 after a cross from Marcos Llorente. He hadn't scored a brace since March 2023, when he achieved that against Sevilla. The duel is now finally decided and Atlético will have time to concentrate on the Super Cup. They face Madrid next Wednesday.
Getafe will also be in the next round of the cup. The Madrid team overcame the league defeat against Rayo and eliminated Espanyol (0-1), one of the best teams in the second division. The Catalan team dominated in the first act. Getafe improved in the second half and worked towards a goal that came in the 87th minute, leaving Espanyol unable to respond. A good goal from Milla after an action from Enes Unal, which allowed the Madrid team to advance to the next phase of the tournament.
Leaders Girona showed their excellent level by overcoming the obstacle of Elche (0-2). The game was largely even until the Catalan team took the lead in an excellent strategic game. It was in the 37th minute and Blind, as was the case with Atlético in the league, appeared at the far post and made it 0-1. The leaders ended the game with a phenomenal counterattack between Portu and Couto. The Brazilian full-back was in the Elche penalty area and beat San Román with a good cross shot in the 67th minute. However, the Elche fans didn't like his celebration too much.
Two goals from Rayo in the last two minutes of extra time gave the Madrid team the pass against Huesca, who sold their elimination very dearly. Óscar Valentín in the 118th minute and Isi Palazón in the 120th minute scored the goals for Rayo, who are still alive in the cup.
Alavés gave the Basque team a fair rating against Betis (1-0), which is currently going through a bad season, with a goal from Benavídez in the 57th minute. Alavés increased the intensity in a duel that they dominated from start to finish. Not even Isco, who was very confused, could help his team, which in a short time has piled up elimination from the Europa League and now the Copa del Rey.
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