Surprises and Upsets: The Early Rounds of the Copa del Rey
The Copa del Rey has a knack for presenting impossible miracles and recurrent surprises. This year’s initial stages were no different, particularly when teams from La Primera División found themselves drawn against lower-division opponents. One miracle that captured attention was the attempt by family teams like Mayoral and Negreira; unfortunately for them, neither the Inter de Valdemoro nor the team with a prohibited surname could outshine the formidable Getafe and Real Sociedad, respectively.
Among the surprises, Oviedo stands out as the first top-tier team to fall to a lower-tier contender. Facing the Ourense team from Primera RFEF, Oviedo suffered a shocking defeat that ended in extra time, with Ourense clinching victory by two goals. This inaugural clash marked a poignant return for coach Carrión as he navigates his way back to managing Oviedo.
The match at Salto del Caballo was an uphill battle for Sevilla against Toledo, yet the experience of new coach Matías Almeyda proved crucial as he guided his team toward victory despite a challenging start.
In a compelling narrative, the match between the carbayones and Ourense offered one of the toughest challenges for La Primera squads in this opening round. Ourense, a well-regarded club from the former Segunda B, showcased a surprising level of skill that defied their current classification. Despite Carrión’s team taking the lead twice during regulation, the tenacity of the gallegos earned them a tie in the 94th minute. Once in extra time, they dominated, nearly scoring more if not for a missed penalty by Guerrero moments before the final whistle.
During the Getafe match, it’s noteworthy to highlight a player other than Borja Mayoral; while Mayoral netted a remarkable double, Juanmi made a significant return from injury. He took advantage of his opportunity in this match by scoring a stunning four goals in the overwhelming 11-0 win against the team lead by the elder Mayoral. For the modest players of Inter de Valdemoro, the experience at the Coliseum was a daunting one, competing at the sixth tier of Spanish football.
Another stunning performance came from Valencia, who convincingly defeated Maracena in a match that provided a much-needed boost for coach Corberán following a series of disappointing results in the league. With a total of five goals, Valencia’s forward line synchronised beautifully, clinching an easy win that allows them to shift focus back to LaLiga.
The Girona match was no walk in the park either, as they too faced difficulties against Constancia. With a dramatic goal just 10 minutes from the end, Girona managed to secure a place in extra time before players Tsygankov and Vanat ensured that Constancia’s dreams were dashed, even though they had managed to score late in the game.
The Real Sociedad executed their tasks dutifully against the regional side Negreira. Their victory didn’t bring any controversies related to officiating, nor did it deliver the excitement typical of matches featuring underdogs. The team scored three goals, effectively shutting down the aspirations of this humbler squad that had been making impressive strides in the tournament.
Additionally, multiple teams from La Segunda managed to secure solid wins in this first round. Clubs like Racing de Santander, Cádiz, Granada, Burgos, Albacete, and Huesca made it through to the next phase of the Copa del Rey. In contrast, Las Palmas faced an unexpected setback, falling to Extremadura by a score of 3-1, a disappointing result for a team in Segunda Federación.
Looking forward, today sees the debut of Osasuna under Lisci, who finds themselves in a difficult position, alongside Mallorca managed by Arrasate. Notably, Elche, Rayo, and Villarreal will also make their appearances, with Villarreal being the only team currently ranked among the top three in LaLiga. Given the formidable nature of their respective opponents, it’s less likely that today will yield the same level of surprises we witnessed with Oviedo‘s recent downfall.
With thrilling matches and unexpected spellbinding moments, the Copa del Rey is set to deliver even more excitement as we progress through the tournament, capturing the essence of football—where anything can happen.