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Copa del Rey round-up

Image: Cristiano Ronaldo: On target as Real began their defence with a win

Real Madrid began the defence of their crown with a comfortable first-leg victory, but Valencia and Levante both struggled.

Ronaldo on target for Real; Levante suffer fourth round upset

Real Madrid began their defence of the Copa del Rey with a comfortable first-leg victory over lower league opposition, but Valencia and Levante both experienced disappointing nights. Elsewhere in the fourth round, Villarreal's underachieving season continued, Real Betis suffered an upset and the pressure continued to mount on Real Zaragoza coach Javier Aguirre Goals in either half by Jose Callejon and Cristiano Ronaldo gave Real Madrid a 2-0 victory at Segundo Division B, the third tier of Spanish football, outfit Ponferradina. But Jose Mourinho's Primera Liga title contenders, who surrendered their 15-game winning streak in Saturday's defeat by Barcelona, had to play the final 21 minutes with 10 men after defender Raul Albiol was sent off for a second booking. Like Real, UEFA Champions League competitors Valencia entered the Copa del Rey at the fourth-round stage. However, they did not enjoy such a productive evening against third-flight opposition, as La Liga's third-placed team were held to a stalemate at Cadiz.

Embarrassing

Levante, who sit just one point behind Valencia, suffered an even worse evening, losing 3-1 at former top-flight side Deportivo La Coruna. Two goals from midfielder Saul on top of Pablo Alvarez's opener meant Carlos Aranda's effort represented little more than a lifeline ahead of next week's second leg. Frederic Kanoute's 11th minute goal gave fifth-placed La Liga side Sevilla a 1-0 win at Segunda Division B's San Roque in the late kick-off and the match included seven yellow cards. Villarreal finished pointless at the bottom of Champions League Group A, while only goal difference means they are out of La Liga's relegation zone, and their miserable season continued after Borja Valero's late goal could only scramble a 1-1 draw at Segundo Division B side Mirandes. Real Betis suffered an embarrassing 1-0 defeat at second division Cordoba courtesy of Pepe Diaz's last-minute goal at Estadio Nuevo Arcangel. The pressure continued to mount on Real Zaragoza coach Javier Aguirre after La Liga's bottom team saw Jorge Orti's goal cancelled out in a 1-1 draw at Segunda Division Alcorcon. Juan Ramon Muniz's goal allowed Sporting Gijon to come out on top in their all-Primera Liga first leg at Mallorca, while Malaga picked up a 1-0 win away to Getafe.
Bad tempered
Top-flight rivals Racing Santander and Rayo Vallecano shared a five-goal thriller, with the former coming out on top after coming from a goal down in the final seven minutes. Christian Stuani had put home team Racing in front, but Michu and Miguel Angel Michel scored for their visitors either side of half-time. However, Stuani, again, and Ariel Nahuelpan scored in the closing stages to give Racing a first-leg lead. In the final of the four all-Primera Liga matches, Real Sociedad took a significant step towards the next round after a 4-1 win over Granada in which Xavi Prieto scored twice. Almeria finished with nine men in their bad-tempered 3-1 defeat to Osasuna. Dani Bautista and captain Jose Ortiz both saw red for the home team, while their visitors won the match through goals from Dejan Lekic, Javad Nekounam and Xavier Annunziata. Espanyol were held to a goalless draw at Celta Vigo.

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