Ten LaLiga EA Sports clubs took the Copa del Rey knockout journey to a thrilling Wednesday, advancing to the round of 32. Real Betis joined the elite group, while Getafe and Rayo Vallecano delivered confident performances. For others like Girona, Real Sociedad, and Athletic Club, the path was tougher and emotions ran high, as fans hustled to secure tickets and witness the drama unfold.
Betis, Getafe, Rayo Vallecano, Cádiz, Girona, Sevilla, Celta, Real Sociedad, Mallorca and Athletic Club shook off their first Copa del Rey appearances of the 2023-2024 edition this Wednesday. The highlights included Getafe’s overwhelming victory over Tardienta (12-0), followed by Real Betis beating Hernán Cortés (12-1). Rayo and Mallorca also faced notable matches, with decisive outcomes that underscored the cup’s unpredictability.
On the other side, Cádiz CF managed to reach the next round but faced a shootout that dipped into penalties. Badalona Futur saved Girona FC in an intense moment near the edge of elimination. Real Sociedad edged past Buñol with a single goal, while Athletic Club, known for its long-standing tradition, and Ruby pressed toward a potential final draw in pursuit of glory.
The team in stripes did not falter in their first cup step and moved forward. Lugones posted a crushing result (0-6). Francisco Rodríguez shuffled his lineup to rest veterans, and the strategy paid off. Falcao, eager for minutes, opened with an early double, signaling his hunger for impact.
Girona faced a stubborn test against a combative San Roque de Lepe, enduring pressure that disrupted their usual rhythm. The Catalan side’s coach, after halftime, reshaped the formation and quickly found a breakthrough through Valery’s boot just minutes later, lifting the team’s mood. That 0-1 scoreline briefly highlighted doubts, yet the visitors recovered and pressed on as the Lepe defense held firm at the end of regulation, with Mizzian finding space in the 51st minute to restore balance, energizing the crowd and turning the tide in Girona’s favor. Lepe’s vigor faded as the clock wound down, and the visitors’ late surge proved decisive, sealing a dramatic win for Girona in a close contest between two determined outfits.
Cádiz also endured a tense test, requiring a penalty shoot-out after a scoreless draw with a determined Badalona side. Sergio González’s squad never dominated the match against the Catalan Second RFEF outfit, but their experience carried them through once penalties arrived, with David sealing Cádiz’s advancement after a competitive, hard-fought encounter.
As the game wore on, the pressure mounted for the Andalusian team, which struggled to carve out clear chances in the attack. Badalona defended with grit, pushing to extra time. The match then moved to penalties, where Cádiz showed their cup pedigree and composure, unlike their modest opponent. The decisive moment came when David converted, sending Cádiz through to the next round.
Sevilla and Celta faced fewer concerns in their cup duties. The Andalusian club opened the Diego Alonso era with a victory, thanks to early goals from their forwards, Youssef En-Nesyri and Rafa Mir, delivering a 2-0 result that stifled the visitors’ momentum. In extra time, Pedrosa widened the gap to three with a late strike after Quintanar threatened to spark a late rally for the away side.
Meanwhile, Celta Vigo enjoyed a similar outcome, building a lead in the first half thanks to Bamba’s double. The squad extended their advantage in the second half, confirming a comfortable 4-0 win as Carles Perez finished off a quiet, efficient display to seal the verdict.
Real Sociedad endured a tough afternoon against Buñol, scraping through with a one-goal margin. Imanol’s squad fielded a rotated lineup, still carrying European experience from their group stage in the Champions League. Their resolve was clear as they navigated an awkward matchup and ultimately prevailed after eliminating Ceuta in the preliminary round.
Real Sociedad’s eternal rival, Athletic Club, also found a way through after a tense duel with Can Rosés Ruby. The Catalan side led 0-2 after Adu Ares struck twice in seven minutes, only for Marc Rodríguez to light up the late stages with a strike in the 86th minute. Ernesto Valverde’s Lions held firm in defense and pushed for a final opportunity, but Rubí narrowly missed at the closing moment, leaving Athletic to celebrate a hard-fought advancement.
Real Betis, Getafe and Mallorca presented a contrasting tale. Abdon Prats completed a hat-trick for Mallorca, with a fourth goal by Cyle Larin illustrating the depth of Javier Aguirre’s squad. The Balearic side, once only three points above relegation trouble in LaLiga EA Sports, rediscovered breath, spirit, and competitiveness in a cup clash that went smoothly from start to finish.
In total, 24 goals were tallied by Betis and Getafe combined, each side contributing six. In El Alcoraz, Getafe’s late surge, masterminded by Pepe Bordalás and a triple show from Oscar Rodríguez along with Mason Greenwood and Borja’s contributions, produced a resounding 12-0 scoreline, a testament to the cup’s occasional blowouts that still abide by the competition’s rhythm. Betis meanwhile dominated in a 12-1 rout against Hernán Cortes, with Willian José, Rodri, Ez Abde, Luiz Henrique, Marc Roca and Assane Diao all on the scoresheet as Rodri’s movements and finishing touched the margins of mastery. The display showcased the depth of the squad and hinted at the tactical acumen behind Pellegrini’s continued selection decisions for La Liga fixtures.
Relative surprises
Surprises included several shocks where notable LaLiga Hypermotion teams were eliminated by rivals. Andorra, Albacete and Racing de Santander fell in dramatic fashion, with Andorra’s Sarabia and Pique Astorga proving pivotal in a 1-0 upset, while Albacete slipped away as Terrace edged them out and Zamora pushed through on penalties after a 2-2 draw in extra time.
Other results included Ponferradina losing 1-0 to Barbastro, Teruel beating Valle del Egués, Real Murcia edging Arandina 1-0, Huelva Entertainment Area defeating Tudelano, Atletico Sanluqueño losing to Yeclano, Nastic of Tarragona dropping points to Orihuela, and Tarazona defeating Andratx in a tight 3-2 affair.
Looking ahead to the next round, teams that secured spots include Cartagena, Valladolid, Alcorcón, Leganés, Tenerife, Melilla, Linares Deportivo, Lugo, Eldense, Arenteiro, Deportivo, Cayón, Real Sporting, Antequera, Mirandés, Elche, Málaga, Unionistas, Huesca, Real Oviedo and Racing Ferrol.