Three Kings Day brought Copa del Rey cheer for Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, as both giants secured convincing victories to book their spots in the round of 16. Real Madrid, with their trademark control, dispatched fourth-division Arandina 3-1, while Atletico, led by a resurgent Memphis Depay, overcame third-tier Lugo 3-1.
Joselu, Brahim Diaz, and Rodrygo found the net for the defending champions, with the stage also set for the long-awaited debut of Arda Guler. The young Turkish talent, hampered by injuries earlier, flashed glimpses of his potential, even hitting the woodwork with a free-kick.
Meanwhile, Atletico, smarting from a league defeat, received a much-needed boost courtesy of Depay’s brace. The Dutch forward, often relegated to a substitute role, proved his quality with two clinical finishes in the second half, effectively burying Lugo’s resistance. Angel Correa had opened the scoring early, with Leandro Antonetti’s equalizer keeping things interesting before Depay took charge.
Elsewhere, Antoine Griezmann missed a chance to become Atletico’s sole all-time top scorer. Tied with Luis Aragonés on 173 goals, Griezmann couldn’t find the net despite coming on in the second half. Nonetheless, the win keeps his team afloat in the cup competition.
The Epiphany weekend saw other La Liga sides like Getafe, Rayo Vallecano, and Girona progress, while second-division Huesca fell victim to Rayo’s late surge in extra time. Alaves, in a surprise result, knocked out Real Betis, setting the stage for an intriguing round of 16 encounters.
With Barcelona entering the fray tomorrow against Barbastro, the Copa del Rey promises further excitement as the big guns join the fray. Real Madrid, Atletico, and Barcelona, all making their debut in this round, add a touch of glamour to the competition, ensuring the battle for the Copa del Rey crown remains wide open.
