PSG and Palermo exit cup competitions

Though there was success for the likes of Real Madrid CF and Málaga CF, fellow UEFA Champions League contenders Paris Saint-Germain FC suffered elimination on a night of cup action for some of Europe's top-flight sides.

Spain
While Madrid enjoyed a comfortable route into the last 16 of the Copa del Rey, Málaga were made to sweat against third-tier CP Cacereño. José Mourinho's side, already 4-1 to the good from their opening instalment against CD Alcoyano, won 3-0 in the Spanish capital tonight thanks to one goal from Ángel Di María and two from José Callejón. Málaga, meanwhile, surrendered their 4-3 first-leg advantage in losing 1-0 at home but still progressed on away goals.

Two other Liga teams, though, did fall to lower-league opposition. Real Sociedad de Fútbol were held 2-2 at home to second-tier Córdoba CF having succumbed 2-0 in Andalusia, while Rayo Vallecano de Madrid and UD Las Palmas finished goalless, with the latter prevailing 1-0 on aggregate. CA Osasuna and Real Betis Balompié are also through.

France
AS Saint-Étienne are the first side to advance to the French League Cup semi-finals after they beat Ligue 1 leaders PSG 5-3 on penalties after a goalless draw in eastern France. St-Etienne, just a point adrift of the capital club in the league, had much of the play early on but PSG took charge thereafter. However, neither team could find a way through in 120 minutes of open play, meaning a shoot-out was needed.  Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang struck the winning spot kick after Thiago Silva's effort had been saved by Stéphane Ruffier.

Italy
Serie B outfit Hellas Verona FC secured a 2-1 victory at top-flight US Città di Palermo in the Coppa Italia fourth round despite spending the final quarter of the match down to ten men following the dismissal of Fabrizio Cacciatore. Luigi Giorgi had put Palermo in front early on in Sicily, but Andrea Cocco soon drew Verona level and Daniele Cacia hit the winner soon after his team-mate's red card.