Third round, first leg

Match played on 7th January

With European competitions on hold until late February, it's time for the Spanish cup to recommence. After two rounds of sudden death matches, the competition returns to it's traditional two leg format from now on, much to the relief of the first division sides. Last year's champions Deportivo La Coruña were the first to be grateful for a return leg when they were held to a 1-1 draw in the opening match against second division B side Alicante, who had already eliminated Espanyol and Valencia in previous rounds. Irureta used the opportunity to give a run out to some of his lesser used players, with Manuel Pablo, Toro Acuña, Pablo Amo and keeper Dani Mallo starting the game and Andrade coming on as substitute for his first appearance after a long injury. However their lack of match practice was evident, and although the early chances fell to Luque and Diego Tristán, the home side started to gain control. Team captain German struck the bar with a long shot, and five minutes before the break their top scorer Morante got on the end of a deflected looping cross to head down past the keeper to put his side ahead. Irureta took a chance midway through the second half, replacing Tristán with Sergio, but the move came off and it was the midfielder who levelled the scores ten minutes from the end after a short free kick, his shot going right through the hands of an otherwise solid España.

Matches played on 8th January

Osasuna were the first to kick off on Wednesday, and they wrapped up their tie with a 0-4 victory against the other second division B side left in the competition, Real Unión. Paqui started things off in Irún twenty minutes in to the game, home side keeper Arteaga fumbling his corner kick into his own net, and youngster Brit added a second, also following a corner, on the stroke of half time. Gancedo made it three after the break, following up after a shot from another youngster De Carlos was blocked, and Brit got his second of the night later in the half. With twenty minutes to go the unfortunate Arteaga had to leave the field injured, and with all three substitutions already made, outfield player Llona took over. However Aguirre's side had already done enough, and they ran the clock down without any further score.

There were no major surprises, but Terrassa did come back from two goals down against what was effectively a Real Madrid reserve side to draw 3-3. Del Bosque left all of his first choice players at home, much to the disappointment of the 11,000 crowd who had paid record prices to watch the game. Portillo put his side ahead from the penalty spot midway through the first half with a soft "Panenka" style kick, after keeper Maestro brought down Tote, and Maestro was lucky not to get sent off after he tripped the young striker as he was walking away after scoring. Madrid should have increased their lead before the break, acting captain Guti and Cambiasso both going close, but half time substitute Babangida equalised on the hour mark after Santi Asensio set him up. Guti scored twice though in four minutes, the first from Tote's pass and second from a free kick, to apparently put Madrid on the road to victory. However Del Bosque pulled off Guti, Cambiasso and Tote to give a run out to youngsters Borja, Luis García and Alex Pérez, and the Catalans came back. Ten minutes from the end Monty turned in Pedro Riesco's pass, and then three minutes later he headed an equaliser to square the game, giving the first division side something to think about for next week's second leg.

Atlético Madrid won their away leg at Xerez 0-1, although it was not an easy victory, particularly in the second half when the second division side tested Mono Burgos on several occasions. Luis Aragonés was under pressure after three losses in a row in the league, but his side dominated the first half and Mora had to save from Emerson and Aguilera early on. Albertini gave the visitors the lead with half an hour gone following a short free kick, his long shot surprisingly beating Mora who should have done better. However Schuster's team deserved at least to draw on their return to the Chapín stadium after an 18 month exile, and could have done so if Gerard's last minute effort had not hit the bar.

Sevilla were the only other side to win, beating Numancia 1-3 on a snowy night in Soria. Unlike other first division managers and even his opposite number Máximo Hernández, Caparrós was not taking any chances, and he lined up with most of his first choice players. The game was very even at the beginning, with Rosu claiming a penalty for the locals and Toedtli bringing a good save out of Alvaro Nuñez for the visitors. However Torrado broke the equilibrium when he beat Alvaro Nuñez with a low hard shot just before half time. The second division side came back after the break, Miguel Pérez equalising from Pacheta's pass, but Marcos Vales came on to set up goals for Reyes and then Fredi within ten minutes of making his appearance. Fredi went off injured soon afterwards, and could be out for some time.

Alavés took a 0-0 draw back to Vitoria from their first leg visit to Murcia, although it was not a particularly inspiring game of football. The second division side dominated the first half but could not take their chances, with Dutruel blocking a shot by Tito and Alfonso shooting wide with the keeper beaten. The visitors had the better of things after the break though, Reinke saving well from Rubén Navarro's only real shot at goal. Alavés finished with nine men after Desío got injured with all three changes made and Eggen got himself sent off for a second bookable offence, and Dutruel had to stop a header from Pedro Largo right at the end to keep the scores level.

There were two all first division ties, both of which ended in draws. The game between Betis and Recreativo ended 0-0, with neither side really creating many problems for the opposing keeper on a bitter cold night in Sevilla. Prats had to save from Gallego early on, and Joao Tomas put a couple of efforts just wide at the other end before the break. Víctor Fernández had to replace the injured Capi soon after the restart, and only an effort just outside the post from Fernando broke the monotony. Even Marcos Assunçao was off target with his free kicks, although he did hit the post with a shot in the last minute. The local fans were unhappy though, and whistled their team off the pitch at the end. The result was a welcome relief for Recre manager Lucas Alcaraz, who could be out of a job soon if results in the league do not improve.

Mallorca went ahead twice against Valladolid, but ended up drawing 2-2 to complicate matters for the second leg. The visitors went close twice early on through Aganzo, but Lozano opened the scoring for Manzano's side in the twelfth minute with a header after good work by Ibagaza. Manager Pepé Moré's son Javier levelled the scores though before half time, heading home a cross on the far post from Oscar Sánchez. Local keeper Miki had to make a vital save from Oscar after the restart, and when Pandiani put the Islanders in front from a Carlos pass they looked like breaking their losing run. However late substitute Pachón scored again soon after coming on to give the visitors an advantage for the second leg. Valladolid's Mario will not be available for that match though, as he was sent off for pulling back young substitute Tuni as he advanced on goal in the dying minutes.