Cup successes for Madrid, Roma and City
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Article summary
Real Madrid CF won at RCD Espanyol, AS Roma and Manchester City FC booked semi-final places, and OGC Nice edged a nine-goal thriller in France in Tuesday's cup games.
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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 had grazed Gareth Bale. Cristiano Ronaldo had earlier hit a post while he, Benzema and Arbeloa all spurned good chances to double Madrid's lead as the match progressed. Sergio García went close for Espanyol, before Iker Casillas denied Jhon Córdoba late on. The result maintains Madrid's 100% record in 2014 and they have 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 held over the next two days.
Quarter-finals
RCD Espanyol v Real Madrid CF
Real Sociedad de Fútbol v Real Racing Club
UD Levante v FC Barcelona
Club Atlético de Madrid v Athletic Club
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 lineup in the capital but Roma failed to test their visitors in the first half, and with little bar hopeful shots from either team after the interval, the deadlock continued. The contest between the two nine-time Coppa Italia winners was finally settled when Gervinho volleyed in Kevin Strootman's cross after a neat counterattack sparked by substitute Miralem Pjanić.
The Giallorossi will face the victors of the 29 January quarter-final between SSC Napoli and SS Lazio.
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
English League Cup
An Álvaro Negredo double 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 men.
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 for goal No3 on the night just before the hour mark.
City – who last lifted the League Cup in 1976 – will play 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 AFC in the fourth round on Saturday.
Having come from behind to draw 2-2 in the first leg, Charlton established a 2-0 advantage in the first half, Yann Kermorgant and Danny Green on target, and Kermorgant netted 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 decided matters, though Souleymane Diawara reduced the arrears at the death, having earlier scored an own goal.
The round of 32 proved the end of the road for three more Ligue 1 teams. AC Ajaccio fell 2-1 at home to second-division SM Caen while SC Bastia lost by the same margin after extra time at another Ligue 2 outfit, RC Lens. SCO Angers' 1-0 home triumph over FC Sochaux-Montbéliard completed a trio of successes for second-flight club 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 2-2 Chamois Niortais FC (aet, Bastia win 5-4 on pens)
Olympique de Marseille 4-5 OGC Nice
