Spanish cup - semi-finals, first leg

Figueres 0 - Deportivo de La Coruña 1

Deportivo de La Coruña took a large step towards reaching the final with a 0-1 away win at Figueres. Although the second division B side had already knocked Barcelona and Osasuna out of the competition in earlier rounds, Irureta took a chance putting out a team packed with reserve players, although Diego Tristán did play up front due to the unavailability of the other strikers. And it was Tristán who got the goal that separated the two teams in the end with a clever back flick through his legs in the sixth minute which left keeper Caballero going the wrong way. After the goal Depor allowed the Catalans to come at them, slowing down the game and playing keep-ball to run down the clock. Figueres did have their chances, with Peña and Juli both going close and referee Itturalde González upsetting the local fans turning down a couple of penalty appeals. However they were lacking the quality to get the much needed goal, and Deportivo nearly added to their scores on quick breakaways, Tristán hitting the post and Amavisca shooting straight at the keeper when free in front of goal in the second half. Deportivo should finish things off next Wednesday in the Riazor stadium. (24.01.02)

Athletic Bilbao 2 - Real Madrid 1

Athletic Bilbao came back from a goal down against Real Madrid to set up a passionate second leg next Thursday in the Santiago Bernabeu stadium. A full strength Madrid side missing only the injured Hierro took the lead in the third minute of the game through Zinedine Zidane, who beat Lafuente from the edge of the area after receiving a pass from Figo. Bilbao lost Lacruz with a dislocated elbow a quarter of an hour later, but they gradually worked their back into the game in the second half as the visitors tired. Etxeberria levelled the scores with a spectacular shot after beating Pavón on the right of the area, and after Urzaiz hit the post, the Spanish international striker finally got the better of Casillas four minutes from the end to score the winning goal. (23.01.01).