Only top division clubs remain in Copa del Rey

MADRID, Spain — Real Betis and Espanyol earned victories Wednesday to ensure that the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey will feature only top division clubs from Spain.

Arturo Garcia scored in the 24th minute to lead Betis to a 1-0 victory over third-division club Real Union and a 2-0 aggregate score in the knockout competition.

Espanyol ended the run of another giant killer by beating third-division team Polideportivo El Ejido 1-0 to advance on away goals after the two legs finished 3-3. Raul Gaitan's own-goal in the seventh minute was enough to eliminate El Ejido, which had sent Villarreal out in the last round.

Union had beaten Spanish league champion Real Madrid earlier in the competition.

Vicente Rodriguez scored two goals, including the winner in the 102nd, to lead Valencia to a 3-1 extra time win over Racing Santander.

Rodriguez scored a penalty in the 18th to give Valencia the lead and Gonzalo Colsa equalized with a bicycle kick three minutes later to send the game to the extra 30-minute period, when Joaquin Sanchez also scored to put Valencia through 4-2. Valencia faces Sevilla in the next round.

Other top division clubs to advance were Sevilla, Mallorca and Sporting Gijon.

Spanish league leader Barcelona, a record 24-time Copa del Rey champion, played Atletico Madrid at the Camp Nou later Wednesday with a 3-1 advantage after the first leg. Espanyol awaits the winner.

Athletic Bilbao was to host Osasuna on Thursday with the clubs even at 1-1 after the first leg. That victor will play Sporting.

Sevilla cruised through to the last eight after a 3-0 win at Deportivo La Coruna — its third victory over the Galician club in a week.

Jesus Navas volleyed past goalkeeper Fabricio Agosto in the third minute and Brazil striker Luis Fabiano took advantage of separate Deportivo defensive errors to score two goals before halftime as the 2007 champions won 5-1 on aggregate.

Both clubs finished the game with 10 men after separate second-half ejections — Deportivo losing striker Omar Bravo and Sevilla goalkeeper Andres Palop also being sent off.

Jorge Pina headed in a goal in injury time to ensure Sporting advanced 4-3 on aggregate despite losing 2-1 at Valladolid. Fabian Canobbio and Pedro Leon scored for the hosts.

Pablo Piatti gave Almeria hope of overcoming a two-goal deficit with his fourth-minute goal at Juegos Mediterraneos stadium, but Mallorca's Juan Arango curled in a free kick in the 29th to ensure a 1-1 draw. Mallorca advanced 4-2 on aggregate and will next play Betis.

Espanyol's victory came in front of 4,325 spectators — the worst attendance figure in club history.

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