Copa del Rey, final phase, quarter finals, first leg

Barcelona's winning run has finally come to an end after 18 games, but they still have a chance of reaching the semi-finals after losing 4-2 to Zaragoza. Frank Rijkaard left Puyol and Valdés out of his line up and paid the price when the home side scored three times in a five minute period midway through the first half. Diego Milito got the first after running on to Cani's through ball to poke a shot past Jorquera, and the reserve keeper pushed a shot from Ewerthon back in to his own net two minutes later. Ewerthon helped himself to a third on a quick breakaway almost immediately, but Larsson headed one back from Gio's cross just before the break, and Ronaldinho closed the gap to one goal when he converted a rigorous second half penalty. However Diego Milito gave his side the edge in the tie when he converted a second penalty after Edmilson handled Cuartero's cross in injury time.

Earlier in the day the disciplinary committee decided that the remaining 46 minutes of the second leg match between Valencia and Deportivo should be played out behind closed doors at a date still to be decided. (26.01.06)

Copa del Rey, final phase, quarter finals, second leg

A bit of everything in the cup tonight, with Real Madrid and Espanyol qualifying for the semi-finals but the tie between Valencia and Deportivo called off just before half time after a linesman was hit by an object thrown from the crowd. The atmosphere was already hostile in the Mestalla stadium before kick off after last week's controversial first leg, and when Marchena was sent off in the eighth minute for elbowing Arizmendi it was even more so. A minute before the break David Villa beat Molina with an angled shot to make it 1-0 on the night and level the scores overall, but in the ensuing celebrations the linesman was felled and referee Megia Dávila decided that the situation was unsafe and suspended the game. It was another blow for a competition which has already been blighted by incidents, and the federation will meet tomorrow to decide if and when the match will be resumed.

A goal late in the first half from Robinho was enough to give Real Madrid a 1-0 win over Betis and ensure the Galacticos a place in the semi-finals. The young striker couldn't have celebrated his 22nd birthday in more style, picking up a pass from Beckham to run past a defender and score with an angled shot to add to their one goal lead from the first leg. Serra Ferrer made two attacking changes at the break to try and turn the scoreline around, but his side made little impact and Ramos and Cassano could have finished things off had Doblas not been at his best.

Espanyol are also through to the semi-finals after beating Cádiz 2-0 in Montjuic. With a two goal start from the game in the Carranza stadium a week ago, the Catalans were expected to qualify. However they had some problems early on, with De la Cuesta hitting the bar before Jofre latched on to Juanfran's cross to put the hosts ahead twenty minutes from the end. Jofre added a second from the penalty spot just three minutes later after he himself was brought down in the area, and after that it was all over. (18.01.06)