After the qualification of Rayo Vallecano and Getafe CF on the road, together with Pontevedra's away win over the reigning runners-up, the Copa del Rey MAPFRE continues its journey in style this Saturday with the four more instalments in an electrifying round of 32 matches.
The first big star of the day emerged on the Alcoraz pitch in the bearded figure of Isco Alarcón, whose umpteenth piece of genius secured qualification for Pellegrini's Real Betis with a narrow win.
Another Primera División side, CA Osasuna, also made it through their away tie thanks to a great first half in which goals from Jorge Herrando and José León's own goal catapulted them through to the next round.
The surprise of the day came at the Estadio de los Juegos Mediterráneos in a thrilling Andalusian derby in which UD Almería came from behind to overturn Isaac Romero's early goal in an outstanding second half.
Joan Francesc Ferrer Rubi's side, who has become UD Almeria's most successful coach in recent years, were able to beat five-time champions Sevilla FC with a stunning goal from Marko Milovanovic and a hat-trick from Colombian Luis Suarez.
Barça's start to the Copa del Rey 2024/25 could not have been better for Flick's team. The Catalans opened the season with a 4-0 win over Barbastro in a match in which they dominated from start to finish. They managed to open the scoring early on and with that result they have the luxury of advancing to the last sixteen. Barça ruled the roost, with Eric Garcia and Robert Lewandowski heading the first two goals. It was the Pole himself who scored the third just after the break and Pablo Torre rounded off the scoring. The team beat Barbastro for the second year in a row and are already setting their sights on the Spanish Super Cup, which will be held next week.
