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Three favorites - "Valencia", "Atletico", and "Villarreal" - pulled out of further competition for the Spanish King's Cup (Copa del Rey). This became clear on Wednesday after most of the return matches of the cup's round of 16 were played.
On Tuesday, Javier Saviola's excellent game and three goals helped the "Barcelona" team defeat "Alaves" for the second time with a total score of 5-2. In addition, J. Saviola scored both goals in the first meeting between these teams in Vitoria.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday in Spain, there were quite a few surprises. Perhaps the biggest surprise was delivered by the players of the second division leaders "Valladolid". They defeated the "Villarreal" players for the second time - this time 1-0 - and with a total score of 3-1 advanced to the quarterfinals of the tournament, where they will be the only non-First Division team.
Almost joining this team were "Rayo Vallecano" playing in the third division, who had almost reached the quarterfinals due to away goals, but at the end of the match Frederic Kanoute and Alejandro Alfaro helped "Sevilla" celebrate a 3-1 victory and move on.
However, on Wednesday, the most applause was deservedly received by "Getafe" coached by Bernd Schuster, who defeated the lately formidable "Valencia" team 4-2 in Valencia. The first match between the teams ended in a 1-1 draw, so "Getafe" reached the King's Cup quarterfinals for the first time in the club's history.
"Osasuna" from Pamplona, continuing to impress critics lately, this time defeated "Atletico" from Madrid 2-0 at home and advanced with a total score of 3-1.
Last season's cup finalists "Zaragoza" made it to the quarterfinals, despite losing the return match at home 0-1 against the Second Division team "Malaga", because they had won the first match 3-0.
Also advancing was La Coruna's "Deportivo", who played a 1-1 draw at home with "Mallorca" in the first match, but won the return match 2-1.
The last round of 16 matches will be played on Thursday when Madrid's "Real" will host Seville's "Betis". The first match between these teams ended goalless.
The draw ceremony to determine the quarterfinal pairings will take place on Friday.
Statistics
"Barcelona" 3 - 2 "Alaves" (first leg 2-0; total score 5-2)
16` [1 - 0] Javier Saviola
21` [2 - 0] Javier Saviola
35` [2 - 1] Wellington Paulista
42` [2 - 2] Arthuro
63` [3 - 2] Javier Saviola
"Zaragoza" 0 - 1 "Malaga" (3-0; 3-1)
14` [0 - 1] Ristic
"Villarreal" 0 - 1 "Valladollid" (1-2; 1-3)
27` [0 - 1] Javier Baraja (11 m.)
"Sevilla" 3 - 1 "Rayo Vallecano" (0-0; 3-1)
17` [1 - 0] Alejandro Alfaro
23` [1 - 1] Mauri
71` [2 - 1] Frederic Kanoute
85` [3 - 1] Alejandro Alfaro
La Coruna "Deportivo" 1 - 1 "Mallorca" (2-1; 3-1)
24` [0 - 1] Bosko Jankovic
66` [1 - 1] Sergio (11 m.)
Pamplona "Osasuna" 2 - 0 Madrid "Atletico" (1-1; 3-1)
16` [1 - 0] Patxi Punal
27` [2 - 0] Patxi Punal (11 m.)
"Valencia" 2 - 4 Madrid "Getafe" (1-1; 3-5)
28` [1 - 0] David Silva
31` [1 - 1] Nacho
46` [1 - 2] Daniel Gueiza
61` [1 - 3] Javi Casquero
66` [1 - 4] Daniel Gueiza
78` [2 - 4] Raul Albiol
Thursday's Matches
Madrid "Real" - Seville "Betis" (first leg 0-0)
