Six teams — Levante, Espanyol, Las Palmas, Almería, Eibar, and Castellón — showed their support for the Copa del Rey in the opening round, each securing a victory over opponents from lower divisions. The early stage brought drama and a clear signal: knockout football can spark surprising outcomes right from the start of the competition.
In a clash between two First Division clubs, Las Palmas and Almería avoided scares from underdogs Manacor and Talavera de la Reina. Las Palmas produced a dominant 0-3 win, with Julián Araujo, Alberto Moleiro, and Pau Ferrer finding the back of the net to seal advancement. Almería followed suit with a 0-2 victory, thanks to goals from Largie Ramazani and Marko Milovanovic, securing a straightforward passage to the next round.
The results also aligned with expectations for Levante, Espanyol, and Eibar, three clubs either in or challenging for promotion from the second tier, who faced opponents known to test squads trying to maintain momentum. Levante swept past Varea with a 0-3 scoreline, as Carlos Álvarez, Róbert Ibáñez, and Dani Gómez contributed to a comfortable win. Espanyol, showing strong form, added to their tally with a double from Salvi Sánchez, while Eibar dominated Lorca Deportiva 0-4 in the second half, with Ángel Troncho, Konrad de la Fuente, and Ager Aketxe contributing, including a brace from Konrad de la Fuente.
The day culminated with a standout matchup between Cacereño and Castellón, a clash that extended beyond the regular 90 minutes. Castellón, leader of the Group II table in the Primera Federación, found themselves level at 1-1 after regulation time. The decisive moments arrived in extra time, where Castellón completed a comeback to win 2-3, displaying resilience and depth as they moved forward to the next round. This result underscored the unpredictable nature of the Copa del Rey, where teams from lower leagues can push stronger outfits to earn a place in the following stage. (Source: Copa del Rey authorities)
Matches in the first round of the Copa del Rey
- Messenger 0 SPANISH 2
- Varea 0 ELEVATOR 3
- Cacereño 2 CASTELLÓN 3
- Manacor 0 LAS PALMAS 3
- Talavera de la Reina 0 ALMERÍA 2
- Lorca Deportiva 0 EIBAR 4
These results highlight the depth and competitiveness across the divisions, with several top-tier teams securing their spots early while others faced tougher tests than anticipated. The Copa del Rey remains a proving ground where strategy, squad management, and a touch of fortune can shape a season for clubs across Spain. The fixtures set the stage for the rounds ahead, where bigger-name clubs must balance league duties with cup ambitions, and smaller clubs chase historic upsets that captivate fans across the country.
Overall, the opening round delivered a mix of straightforward progressions and spirited comebacks, illustrating why the Copa del Rey remains a beloved competition in Spanish football. The performances from Las Palmas, Almería, Levante, Espanyol, Eibar, and Castellón sent a clear signal that they are ready to contend for deeper runs, while the results involving lower-division sides demonstrated the magic of knockout football, where a single match can redefine a season. (Source: Copa del Rey authorities)