Copa Del Ray: Athletic Club knocks Barcelona out to reach semis
It was another disappointment for Barcelona, as the club was expecting to go to the Copa del Rey semifinals for the second straight season.
It was another disappointment for Barcelona, as the club was expecting to go to the Copa del Rey semifinals for the second straight season.
FC Barcelona opened a 15-point lead over second-placed Real Madrid in La Liga on Saturday night with a 4-0 win away to Elche.
Former Bayern striker Robert Lewandowski then had a great chance to break the deadlock, but the unmarked Pole pulled over the target with 18 minutes gone.
Vinicius Jr. attempted to lead Madrid without Benzema, but Mallorca remained steadfast until the Brazilian scored with a left-foot shot in the 72nd minute
Silva stepped up but couldn't beat goalkeeper Juan Musso, who blocked the penalty and Willi Orban's rebound from very close range in quick succession with 56 minutes gone.
Playing with an intelligent approach against a Barcelona team without several key players, Sevilla on Wednesday soaked up pressure in attack.
Cornella goalkeeper Ramon proved to be the only resisting force against Barcelona in the regulation minutes of play as he saved a penalty in each half.
Messi scored his 644th goal for the Catalan club during their win against Valladolid in La Liga, overtaking Pele's record of 643 goals for Santos.
First half goals from Karim Benzema and Luka Modric put Real Madrid men ahead against Eibar before the teams walked into the dressing room at the half-time.
The surprising leaders of the ongoing season of La Liga, Real Sociedad, had lost in all their previous 24 visits to Barcelona.