Copa del Rey exit becomes Barcelona's latest setback; Real Madrid rallies

Barcelonas list of disappointments this season got longer Thursday with a loss to Athletic Bilbao in the round of 16 of the Copa del ReyBarcelona lost 32 in extra time to add to recent failures in the Spanish Super Cup and the Champions League The Catalan club also trails Real Madrid by 17 points in the Spanish league and the Europa League is the only title it can realistically play for in its first season since the departure of Lionel Messi the Argentina star who moved to Paris SaintGermainMadrid also needed extra time at Elche but avoided an upset thanks to Eden Hazards late goal after the team went a man down and needed to come from behind to win 21Barcelona fails againDefending Copa champion Barcelona couldnt get past Athletic despite equalizing twice in a rematch of last yearrsquos final losing after Iker Munain converted a penalty kick late in the first half of extra timeMunain put Athletic ahead two minutes into the match at San Mameacutes Stadium before Ferran Torres equalized in the 20th with his first goal since joining Barcelona mdash a beautiful curling shot into the top cornerIntildeigo Martiacutenez restored the hosts lead from close range in the 86th but Pedri Gonzaacutelez sent the match into extra time with a goal in stoppage timeBarcelona which couldnt keep Messi because of its financial struggles didnt make it past the group stage in the Champions League and last week lost to Madrid in the semifinals of the Spanish Super CupldquoWe dont have any other choice than to keep believing in our projectrdquo Barcelona coach Xavi Hernaacutendez saidAmerican defender Sergintildeo Dest returning from a back injury and a positive COVID19 test entered in the 96th minute in his first appearance since Dec 8The other teams to reach the Copa quarterfinals are Mallorca Caacutediz Rayo Vallecano Valencia Real Betis and Real Sociedad which eliminated defending Spanish champion Atleacutetico Madrid on WednesdayMadrid RalliesIsco Alarcoacuten and Hazard mdash who has played sparingly this season mdash scored in the second half of extra time to send Madrid into the Copa quarterfinalsldquoIrsquom happy for Isco and Hazardrdquo Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said ldquoThey havenrsquot played many minutes but they came through todayrdquoHazard came on at the start of extra time and scored in the final minutes on a breakaway from near the midfield line He picked up a pass by David Alaba and got around the goalkeeper before finding the open net for his first goal with Madrid since MayHazard himself thought he was offside and hesitated to celebrate at first but the goal was confirmed after a video reviewGonzalo Verduacute has scored for Elche in the first half of extra time with a shot from outside the area that fooled Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin after deflecting on defender Dani CeballosThe goal came following a free kick that prompted the red card to Marcelo as he fouled a defender from behind to stop a counterattackMadrid responded when Isco redirected a shot by Ceballos inside the area after being set up by CasemiroElche thought it had equalized just before the final whistle but the goal was called back because of a foul on a defender inside the areaMadrid is seeking its first Copa title since 201314 It was stunned by thirddivision club Alcoyano in the round of 16 last season while still under coach Zinedine ZidaneElche was playing in the round of 16 for the first time since 201415Madrid was coming off triumph in the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia where it beat Barcelona in the semifinals and Athletic in the finalAncelotti left three regular starters off the squad for Thursdayrsquos game mdash goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois defender Eacuteder Militatildeo and striker Karim Benzema the teamrsquos leading scorer this season Gareth Bale returned following a long injury layoff but stayed on the benchGetafe moves upGetafe defeated Granada 42 at home for its third win in its last four Spanish league matchesThe result moved the Madrid side to 16th place four points from the relegation zone Granada which was coming off two draws stay 14thThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever