Cup shocks aplenty in Spain and Germany

It was a night of shocks in Spain's Copa del Rey fourth round with top-flight clubs Club Atlético de Madrid, Villarreal CF, Real Betis Balompié and Real Zaragoza succumbing to lower-league opposition.

Atlético trailed 2-1 from the first leg against third-tier outfit Albacete Balompié and they conceded the only goal of a return fixture, which saw both sides reduced to ten men, in the opening minute. Villarreal lost to CD Mirandés, also from Spain's third division, in what proved to be Juan Carlos Garrido's final game in charge. The Yellow Submarine suffered a 2-0 reverse at the Madrigal and were eliminated 3-1 on aggregate to prompt Garrido's dismissal.

Zaragoza suffered a surprise 2-0 home defeat at the hands of Segunda División AD Alcorcón to go out 3-1 on aggregate. Betis triumphed 2-1 at home to Córdoba CF but were eliminated on away goals after losing the first leg 1-0. Levante UD required extra time to overturn a 3-1 first-leg deficit and edge out RC Deportivo La Coruña.

Elsewhere, Málaga CF squeezed past Getafe CF 3-2 on aggregate, Real Racing Club drew 6-6 over two legs with Rayo Vallecano de Madrid but progressed on away goals and Real Sociedad de Fútbol booked their place in the next round despite losing at Granada CF. The night's other ties saw CA Osasuna beat UD Almería 4-2 on aggregate and Athletic Club get the better of Real Oviedo.

In the German Cup third round, VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach continued their impressive form with a 3-1 victory against nine-man FC Schalke 04, Marco Reus scoring twice. Cacau also grabbed two goals in VfB Stuttgart's 2-1 win against Hamburger SV while Hertha BSC Berlin beat 1. FC Kaiserslautern 3-1. There was one upset, though, as fourth-tier KSV Holstein overcame 1. FSV Mainz 05 2-0.