Recre, Barça’s next opponent, crash out of cup

 
Josep Guardiola’s side will face Recreativo on Sunday in their eleventh league outing. The Andalusians’ cup run came to an early halt when then were beaten on Wednesday night by Athletic Bilbao (2-1).
The side from Huelva did, however, almost bounce back from 2-0 defeat at San Mamés in the first leg. In the space of six minutes in the first half, Lucas Alcaraz’s side levelled the tie. It was all heading for extra time until Llorente struck home a 76th minute penalty to put Recreativo out of the competition (2-1).

Villarreal also out

The big shock of the round came on Tuesday night, when Real Unión put out Real Madrid in dramatic fashion, while another Division 2B side, Polideportivo Ejido, brought Villarreal’s presence in the Copa del Rey to an untimely end with a 1-1 draw at El Madrigal after their stunning 5-0 win in the first leg.

Numancia and Malaga also go out

Other top flight sides that will be having no further say in the Spanish cup are Numancia (who lost to Sporting Gijón) and Malaga (to Racing), but Espanyol, Betis, Atlético Madrid, Almería, Valencia, Valladolid and Deportivo will all be in the last sixteen.