The Copa del Rey is a tournament which has thrown up some memorable occasions in recent seasons.
From the 2019 showpiece that was the stuff of dreams for Valencia in their centenary year – none of the followers of Marcelino’s team, especially those inside the Benito Villamarin in Seville, will ever forget that this night – to last year’s competition when Real Betis edged out the former winners in a thrilling penalty shoot-out, there have been Copa del Rey 2023 highlights aplenty.
Who will triumph in 2023?
Well, all bar two of the last 16 ties have now been played and there could be some very intriguing quarter-final matches around the corner.
Before you judge the SBOTOP Copa del Rey 2023 betting odds, consider some of the standout moments from this week’s contests.
It all began with La Liga high-flyers Real Sociedad against Mallorca and one of the in-form teams of Europe struck early.
In a contest played in stormy conditions, Robert Navarro netted just five minutes in to earn Sociedad an eighth straight win in all competitions.
It was the fourth straight Copa match in which 20-year-old Navarro, a member of Spain’s youth teams, had found the net.
It continues a fine first half to the campaign for Imanol Alguacil and his players and comes hot on the heels of success in the Basque derby where they defeated Athletic Bilbao 3-1.
All this after a summer when they sold their star striker, Alexander Isak, and immediately lost to injury the men supposed to replace him– Mohamed-Ali Cho and Umar Sadiq.
By contrast, Sevilla are really struggling and are currently one place off the bottom but they are through to the quarter-finals after Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitic scored his first goal of the season.
A diving header from near the penalty spot after a cross by Jesús Navas three minutes after the restart proved the difference as they edged out second division club Alaves.
On Wednesday, Atlético Madrid – who could be about to sign Memphis Depay from Barcelona on a permanent deal – visited Levante trying to rebound from two consecutive games without a win in the league.
Levante may no longer be a La Liga club but they eliminated Getafe in the previous round and are in the running to bounce straight back.
It took a goal from seasoned Spanish international Alvaro Morata to separate the sides before Marcos Llorente made sure of their progress in stoppage time.
Meanwhile, it seemed holders Betis would also require a goal from a player of top calibre to see off Osasuna.
For a while, it looked like William Carvalho’s 62nd-minute goal would prove decisive.
Then David Garcia scored a 91st-minute equaliser to force extra time.
It took until the 103rd minute for Youssouf Sabaly to restore the lead for the home side but again spirited Osasuna hit back and Ruben Garcia levelled matters in the first minute of the second half of extra time.
Again, it went to penalties but, unlike last April and a wonderful swansong for club hero Joaquin, this time there was no joy for the defending champions as Sergio Canales and Guido Rodriguez failed to convert from the spot and Osauns had the scalp of the holders.
Earlier, last season’s runners-up Valencia had too much for Sporting Gijon and it was players at the opposite end of the age spectrum who delivered the telling blows to render the cup tie over before the break.
Step forward Edinson Cavani whose first-half double, with a Justin Kluivert effort sandwiched in between, meant the game had long been decided before a fourth goal from Samuel Lino.
Defeated in a penalty shoot-out in the Spanish Super Cup by champions Real Madrid in Saudi Arabia a week ago, their return to local action produced a devastating blitz which was too hot for the hosts to handle.
Athletic Bilbao faced a much sterner task in the all-La Liga match against Espanyol.
Oscar de Marcos 27th minute goal settled the encounter and a controlled showing from the Basque club, particularly during the first half.
Two last-16 ties remain. On Thursday, newly crowned Spanish Super Cup champion Barcelona visits third-division club Ceuta, while Real Madrid are at Villarreal.
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