Angel Valdes | January 25, 2023
Barcelona and Osasuna became the first to qualify for the Copa del Rey semifinals by beating Real Sociedad and Sevilla respectively in the quarterfinals.
Real Sociedad was at a numerical disadvantage from the 40th minute of the first half due to the expulsion of Brais Méndez who committed a strong foul on Busquets.
The Catalan team, despite having a numerical advantage on the pitch, barely beat Real Sociedad 1-0 with a score by Ousmane Dembelé at 52 minutes into the second half.
That was enough for him to advance to the semifinals of the Copa del Rey.
While the other team that advanced was Osasuna, which beat Sevilla 2-1 in an excellent match that was decided in overtime.
Ezequiel Ávila put Osasuna ahead by 71′ and it seemed to give them victory but when they were about to start the celebration, Sevilla drew at 90+4′ through Youssef En-Nesyri and sent the game to the overtime.
Despite the emotional impact of the tie in replacement time, Osasuna did not collapse and at minute 99′ the Moroccan Abde Ezzalzouli put the final 2-1 and the pass to the semifinals.
For this Thursday, January 26, the two remaining matches of the Copa del Rey quarterfinals will take place when Valencia hosts Athletic Bilbao, while Real Madrid faces Atlético de Madrid in the derby of the Spanish capital.
