Barcelona, Jan. 6 (BNA): Real Madrid and Barcelona kicked off their King’s Cup campaign with a surprise and hard-earned victory over the lower division teams on Wednesday, while third-tier Atletico Balearic eliminated a second team at the top with a 2 victory over Celta Vigo. 1.
Real Madrid needed two late goals to beat Alcoyano 3-1, who a year earlier had wiped out the strength in the same round of 32. Earlier, Barcelona had to come behind to defeat third-tier side Linares Deportivo 2-1, the Associated reported Press.
Defender Edir Militao put Madrid ahead in front of 4,800 fans at El Colao stadium. But the hosts created chances to score and returned the equalizer in the 66th minute when Dani Vega cut the ball to avoid Casemiro and Militao before hitting the ball into the net.
Marco Asensio put Real Madrid back in control in the 76th minute when his shot hit a defender, leaving Alquiano goalkeeper Jose Figueras no chance to save. Figueras’ own goal ensured victory after two minutes.
Barcelona progress
Barcelona strikers Osman Dembele and Ferran Gutgla scored a goal to complete the team’s comeback against Linares.
Dembele continued in the first half and canceled Hugo Diaz’s goal in the 19th minute for Linares with a shot from outside the area to equalize in the 63rd minute.
Yotagla scored the winning goal after six minutes to save Barcelona from an embarrassing exit from the cup in southern Spain.
Dani Alves played his first game since returning to Barcelona. The 38-year-old Brazilian right-back played for Barcelona from 2008 to 2016, helping them win 23 titles including three in the Champions League.
“This is a very special day for me, to return to this team, and once again to live these moments of the Copa Cup,” Alves said.
another disturbance
Baleares, who had stunned Getafe 5-0 in the previous round, scored twice from Manel Martinez to defeat Celta.
Martinez gave the team from the Mediterranean island of Mallorca the lead in the 17th minute with a header from a fast corner kick.
Substitute Brice Mendes scored Celta’s level in the 67th minute, but Martinez sent a header in the 76th minute.
Other results
Denis Cheryshev scored in stoppage time to give Valencia a 2-1 victory over second-tier side Cartagena.
Mikel Oyarzabal scored twice to give Real Sociedad a 3-2 win over Leganes, while Real Betis beat Valladolid 3-0 and Mallorca recovered to beat Eibar 2-1.