Copa del Rey Upsets: Lower-Division Teams send Shockwaves Through Tournament
The Copa del Rey witnessed a dramatic round of 32, with two La Liga teams, Valladolid and Las Palmas, suffering shocking eliminations at the hands of lower-division opponents. Ourense, currently second-to-last in their Primera RFEF group, stunned Valladolid with a 3-2 victory at O Couto, while Elche, sitting fourth in the Second Division, delivered a resounding 4-0 defeat to Las Palmas at Martínez Valero.
These upsets add to the growing list of La Liga casualties in this year’s Copa del Rey, bringing the total to eight teams eliminated before the round of 16. Previous exits include Mallorca,the reigning runner-up,Sevilla,Espanyol,Villarreal,Girona,and Alavés.
Valladolid, languishing at the bottom of La Liga, entered the match against Ourense with hopes of a confidence-boosting victory. Despite taking the lead twice through goals from Raúl Moro and Amallah, they ultimately crumbled under the pressure. Ángel Sánchez’s 52nd-minute strike leveled the score,and Valladolid’s woes deepened when Raúl moro suffered a right knee sprain,forcing them to play the final 20 minutes with ten men.
Las Palmas also faced an uphill battle against Elche. Mendoza’s 44th-minute goal gave Elche the lead at halftime, and they continued their dominance in the second half, with Affengruber, Salinas, and Nico Fernández adding to their tally.
Despite the upsets, other La Liga teams managed to progress. Real Sociedad comfortably defeated Ponferradina 2-0,Celta secured a last-gasp 3-2 victory against Racing Santander thanks to a brace from Alfon,and Leganés staged a comeback to beat Cartagena 2-1.
the Copa del Rey continues to deliver unexpected twists and turns,highlighting the unpredictable nature of knockout football. As the competition progresses, fans can expect more thrilling encounters and potential upsets as teams battle for a chance to lift the prestigious trophy.
Copa del Rey: Round of 32 Results and Upcoming Fixtures
The Copa del Rey Round of 32 delivered a mix of thrilling upsets and expected victories. Several La Liga sides faced tough challenges from lower-division opponents, resulting in some nail-biting encounters.
Notable Results:
Elche cruised to a comfortable 4-0 win over Las palmas, showcasing their dominance.
Ourense pulled off a surprise 3-2 victory against Valladolid,demonstrating the unpredictable nature of cup competitions. Celta Vigo edged past Racing Santander in a high-scoring 3-2 affair.
Real Sociedad proved too strong for Ponferradina, securing a 2-0 win.
Penalty Drama:
Logroñés and Athletic Bilbao battled to a 0-0 draw, with Athletic ultimately prevailing 4-3 on penalties. This tense encounter highlighted the drama and unpredictability that penalty shootouts can bring.
Upcoming Matches:
The Copa del Rey action continues with two exciting fixtures:
Monday: deportiva Minera will host Real Madrid at 7:00 PM. Real Madrid, aiming for their 20th Copa del Rey title, will be looking to avoid an upset against the lower-division side.
Tuesday: eldense will welcome Valencia to their home ground at 9:00 PM. Valencia,having won the Copa del Rey eight times,will be hoping to progress to the next round.
These upcoming matches promise more thrilling encounters as teams fight for a place in the Round of 16.
Ladies and gentlemen,welcome to the post-match analysis of another exhilarating round of the Copa del Rey. What a night of football we’ve witnessed, filled with drama, upsets, and a testament to the unpredictable beauty of this competition.
The headlines scream of shockwaves sent through the tournament as two La Liga giants, Valladolid and Las Palmas, were unceremoniously dethroned by lower-division opponents.
Ourense, sitting second-to-last in their Primera RFEF group, pulled off a stunning 3-2 victory over Valladolid at O Couto. This was a David versus Goliath story, a testament to the fighting spirit and the will to defy expectations. [[1]].
Simultaneously occurring, Elche, currently fourth in the Second Division, made a statement with a resounding 4-0 defeat of Las Palmas at Martínez Valero. This was a masterclass in efficiency and tactical discipline, showcasing the quality that exists even beyond the top flight. [[1]].
These results add yet another chapter to the growing narrative of la Liga’s vulnerability in this year’s Copa. Eight teams have now fallen before reaching the round of 16,including the reigning runner-up,Mallorca,and other notable names like Sevilla. [[1]] This begs the question: Is the magic of the cup proving too potent for the established order? Or are we witnessing a tide turning, a sign of a deeper shift in Spanish football’s landscape?
Let the debate begin!
