Holders humbled at first hurdle

By Andy Hall

Holders Real Zaragoza were knocked out of the Spanish Cup by second division Gimnàstic de Tarragona tonight, while champions Valencia CF, FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol also fell at the first hurdle.

Two-goal deficit
Zaragoza went behind to an Antonio Pinilla goal in the second minute at Gimnàstic and Fernando López's strike six minutes into the second half effectively settled the match, although Alberto Zapater reduced the deficit late in the game.

Barça defeated
Barcelona lost at third division outfit UEA Gramenet, for whom Oscar Ollés scored the only goal of the match in extra time, shooting past Rubén Martínez. One goal was all it took for Valencia to be eliminated at UE Lleida too, Albert Crusat striking to give the second division side a shock win. Espanyol, meanwhile, went down on penalties at Terrassa FC, the second-tier team emerging triumphant 5-3 in the shoot-out after a 1-1 draw.

Extra time required
Several other top-flight clubs also struggled to progress, with Real Racing Club Santander's game at Amurrio CF and Levante UD's visit to CF Badalona both going into extra time. Fernando Morán hit a last-gasp winner for Racing but Levante needed penalties to see off their third division opponents.

No problems
Carlos Aranda's 74th-minute effort helped Sevilla FC past Algeciras CF while Francisco Yeste was on target for Athletic Club Bilbao against SD Gimnástica Segoviana. A goal apiece from Paco Esteban and Juan Rodríguez ensured that Málaga CF overcame CD Don Benito, while Club Atlético de Madrid defeated CD Ourense 3-0 with Fernando Torres, Salva Ballesta and Nano on target.

Tricky Riki
CD Numancia were 3-0 winners against CD Recreación and Real Sociedad de Fútbol joined them in the next round after beating Burgos CF 3-1. A goal from on-loan Real Madrid CF striker Riki gave Getafe CF victory at Universidad Las Palmas, while Francisco Farinós's penalty eight minutes before the end of extra time helped RCD Mallorca past Rayo Vallecano.

Betis relief
Finally, Real Betis Balompié won 4-2 on penalties against CD Alcalá after the previous 120 minutes had finished goalless.