Defending champions Barcelona got knocked out of the Copa Del Rey competition after facing a 3-2 defeat in extra time against Athletic Bilbao. On the other hand, Real Madrid came back from a goal down to win the match 2-1 against Elche and move on to the quarter-finals. On top of that The Catalans are 17 points off the Real Madrid in La Liga.
Mallorca, Cádiz, Rayo Vallecano, Valencia, Real Betis and Real Sociedad are the other teams to reach the Copa quarterfinals.
Copa Del Rey: Barcelona gets out of the Competition
Defending champions Barcelona failed to capitalise on the match even after equalling Athletic Bilbao twice. Iker Munain's brilliant conversion of a penalty kick late in the first half of extra time saw the match slip away from Barca's grip.
Moreover, it's the same Iker Munain who opened the scoresheet just 2 mins into the game. Barca's new signing Ferran Torres replied back in the 20th minute of the game. However, Inigo Martinez puts Bilbao forward with his brilliant efforts in the 86th minute. Barcelona wonderkid Pedri came to the rescue right at the dying moments of the match as he managed to equalise in the injury time.
Real Madrid's Comeback
After a professional last man foul saw Marcelo walk out of the pitch with a straight red card. Gonzalo Verdu, even though missed the initial free-kick shot, somehow managed to score the rebound giving Elche the lead. But minutes later Isco found the equaliser for Los Blancos. Eden Hazard, who came on during the extra time, also found the back of the net. He picked up a pass from David Alaba and got around the goalkeeper before finding the open net; This is his first goal with Madrid since May.