Copa del Rey Round-Up: Girona cruise through, a tight Basque derby and Celta Vigo's US-Greek connection
After Real Mallorca, Sevilla and Athletic Club made their way through to the Copa del Rey quarter-finals on Tuesday night, six more sides disputed a place in the final eight.
Valencia 1-3 Celta Vigo
Both sides made changes to their teams in midweek, leaving out some of their best players, but it was Celta who proved they had the depth over Los Che, as Rafael Benitez returned to his old club to knock them out.
The game started off with Valencia pushing for the opener, but a five-minute double from Celta put them in control. Following a corner, the ball found its way to Luca de la Torre, who came up with an impudent lopped backheel over the defender on the line to open the scoring. Shortly after, Miguel Rodriguez was brought down, and Greek striker Anastasios Douvikas rolled the ball in the opposite direction to Jaume Domenech.
Luca de la Torre with a divine backheel lob.
Talented wee midfielder who probably isn't playing in the best team to exploit his virtues. #USMNT pic.twitter.com/r90wSetMBv
— Ruairidh Barlow (@RuriBarlow) January 17, 2024
Los Che got back into it via a VAR-reviewed handball, allowing Pepelu to half the deficit from the spot too. After half-time, it was Valencia who took the initiative, forcing saves from Ivan Villar, and coming close on multiple occasions. Yet as the game travelled towards a climax, Renato Tapia released de la Torre down the left, and the US midfielder found a lovely cross for Douvikas to double his tally. That made it a calmer ending for Celta, who continued their run of scoring three or more goals in each round of the cup this season.
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