Copa del Rey
Real Madrid CF took a significant step towards the last four of the Copa del Rey after a first-half Karim Benzema strike earned them a 1-0 quarter-final first leg victory at RCD Espanyol.
On 25 minutes, Benzema connected with an Álvaro Arbeloa centre that grazed Gareth Bale. Cristiano Ronaldo had earlier struck a post, and he, Benzema and Arbeloa all spurned good chances to double Madrid’s lead as the game progressed. Sergio García went close for Espanyol, and captain Iker Casillas denied Jhon Córdoba later on. The result maintains Madrid’s 100% record in 2014, and they have also yet to concede a goal in six games this year.
The tie concludes in Madrid next Tuesday, with the remaining quarter-final openers to be staged over the next two days.
Quarter-finals
RCD Espanyol v Real Madrid CF
Real Sociedad de Fútbol v Real Racing Club Santander
UD Levante v FC Barcelona
Club Atlético de Madrid v Athletic Club
©Getty Images
Gervinho after scoring Roma’s winner
Coppa Italia
Gervinho’s goal 12 minutes from time eliminated Serie A leaders Juventus and sent AS Roma through to the Coppa Italia semi-finals.
Juventus coach Antonio Conte fielded an unfamiliar squad, but Roma failed to test their visitors in the first half, and with little bar hopeful shots from both sides after the interval, the deadlock continued. The contest between the two nine-time Coppa Italia winners was finally won when Gervinho volleyed in from Kevin Strootman’s cross after a neat counterattack sparked by substitute Miralem Pjanić.
The Giallorossi will face the winners of the 29 January game between SSC Napoli and SS Lazio in the semi-finals.
Quarter-finals
AS Roma v Juventus: 21 January
AC Milan v Udinese Calcio: 22 January
AC Siena v ACF Fiorentina: 23 January
SSC Napoli v SS Lazio (holders): 29 January
Semi-final draw (two legs, 5 & 12 February)
Milan/Udinese v Siena/Fiorentina
Roma/Juventus v Napoli/Lazio
Final: Rome, 3 May
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Sergio Agüero scores City’s second at West Ham
English League Cup
Two Álvaro Negredo goals propelled Manchester City FC to a 3-0 League Cup semi-final win at West Ham United FC, completing a daunting 9-0 aggregate success for Manuel Pellegrini’s side.
Portuguese teenager Marcos Lopes set Negredo up to head the opener after just three minutes, and the 18-year-old was involved again as Sergio Agüero made it 2-0 on 24 minutes. Negredo then rampaged into the area to make it 3-0 on the night just before the hour mark.
City – who last won the League Cup in 1976 – will now face either Manchester United FC or Sunderland AFC in the final at Wembley Stadium on 2 March, with the Black Cats 2-1 up going into Wednesday’s second leg at Old Trafford.
FA Cup
In the final replay of the third round, Charlton Athletic FC were 3-0 winners at fourth division Oxford United FC, earning a visit to second-tier rivals Huddersfield Town FC in the fourth round on Saturday.
Having come from behind to draw 2-2 in the first leg, Charlton took a 2-0 lead in the first half, Yann Kermorgant and Danny Green on target, and Kermorgant hit a fine free-kick on 58 minutes to put the tie beyond Oxford.
Coupe de France
OGC Nice prevailed in a nine-goal thriller at Olympique de Marseille as the opening night of Coupe de France round of 32 fixtures brought plenty of intrigue. André-Pierre Gignac struck twice for the home side, but Fabrice Abrel’s 88th-minute goal for Nice proved to be crucial, though Souleymane Diawara reduced the arrears at the death, having earlier scored an own goal.
The round of 32 proved to be the end of the road for three more Ligue 1 sides. AC Ajaccio lost 2-1 at home against second division SM Caen, and SC Bastia went down by the same margin after extra time to another Ligue 2 side, RC Lens. SCO Angers’ 1-0 success against FC Sochaux-Montbéliard completed a trio of successes for second-flight sides against top-level opponents.
AC Ajaccio 1-2 SM Caen
RC Lens 2-1 SC Bastia (aet)
US Boulogne 0-2 Stade Rennais FC
SCO Angers 1-0 FC Sochaux-Montbéliard
FC Sète 34 2-0 Jura Sud Lavans
US Concarneau 2-3 EA Guingamp (aet)
IC Croix Football 0-3 LOSC Lille
CA Bastia 2-2aet Chamois Niortais FC (aet, Bastia win 5-4 on pens)
Olympique de Marseille 4-5 OGC Nice