La Liga duo eliminated as round of 16 takes shape

Sunday’s Copa del Rey featured five games on the schedule with two La Liga teams eliminated by teams from the Second Division and Third Division.

As the round of 16 begins to take shape in the coming days, Las Palmas and Real Valladolid will see their cup run come to an end.

Las Palmas pivoted heavily for a trip to Elche as they look to focus on La Liga matters, and the Canaries suffered a 4-0 defeat on the road.

However, the biggest surprise came with Valladolid, who lost 3-2 as a visitor to Ourense of the First Federation thanks to a late goal from Ángel Sánchez.

goodnight #ReisMagos
👑💙 pic.twitter.com/inWhEXII3w

— Ourense CF (@Ourense_CF) January 5, 2025

In the rest of the round of 32, things were routine for Real Sociedad as goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Brais Méndez secured a 2-0 away win at Ponferradina.

Things were a little more hectic in other top-flight matches, with Leganés forced to come from behind to win 2-1 against FC Cartagena.

There was drama in Santander, as Celta Vigo needed two goals in the final minutes to secure a 3-2 victory against Racing, with Alfonso González the Galicians’ hero.

🏁 𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗟 with VI-TO-RIA ✅

We advance to the round of 16 of the #CopaDelRey 🙌#RacingCelta ⋄ #ADébeda pic.twitter.com/EeT59UNMPr

— RC Celta (@RCCelta) January 5, 2025

Two games on the horizon will complete this stage of the tournament with Real Madrid and Valencia facing lower league rivals.

The draw for the round of 16 is scheduled for January 8, Ourense will fly the flag of the third division in the next phase, however, they will not be the lowest ranked team left in the tournament.

Fourth division Pontevedra are the underdogs heading into the draw as justified reward for their sensational 4-0 victory over La Liga top-ranked Mallorca over the weekend.

If Real Madrid and Valencia seal their safe passage to the last 16, there will be 12 La Liga teams represented in the next round, with Los Blancos, Athletic Club and Barcelona heading to Saudi Arabia in the Spanish Super Cup.

Images via Las Palmas on Twitter/X