Enrique de Lucas scored in extra-time as RC Celta de Vigo came from behind in dramatic fashion to oust second-tier club UD Almeria 3-0 from the Copa del Rey on Thursday after Roberto Lago had netted in the dying moments to extend the match.
Celta face Real Madrid in the round-of-16.
“My players gave an enormous effort,” Celta coach Paco Herrera said. “Little by little we found our way into the game and when we started to string together short passes, the chances arrived. We are happy to have qualified for the next round and for the rivals that await us. Madrid is the present we wanted to give our fans.”
Almeria entered the match at the Balaidos with a 2-0 goal advantage and looked set to move on despite Celta’s Park Chu-young halving the margin with a header in the 55th minute, but as the final seconds of stoppage-time ticked down, Lago was left unmarked to sweep in a corner flicked on to the far post to level the aggregate score at 2-2.
De Lucas took Andres Tunez’s through pass and rounded the goalkeeper, before firing home from an angle 19 minutes into extra-time.
Real Zaragoza and RCD Mallorca also qualified for the round-of-16 on Thursday.
Ten-man Zaragoza eliminated Granada on the away goals rule after losing 2-1 to go through 2-2 on aggregate.
Following Odion Ighalo’s opener for Granada in the 27th minute, midfielder Jose Maria Martin struck an exquisite volley from a pass by Helder Postiga in the 55th to give Zaragoza their away goal that proved key to the two-legged tie.
Postiga was sent off for a second booking for diving four minutes later and Granada’s Diego Mainz scored a header in the 66th minute.
Zaragoza goalkeeper Leo Franco made back-to-back saves in stoppage-time to secure his team’s meeting with Levante UD in the next round.
“We began the second half well and had the tie in our hands, but at the end we had to make good on the goal we scored in the first leg,” Zaragoza coach Manolo Jimenez said.
Mallorca ousted RC Deportivo de La Coruna by holding on for a 0-0 home draw, going through thanks to their away goal in the 1-1 draw in their first meeting.
Joaquin Caparros’ Mallorca will meet Sevilla next.
The second leg of the series between Athletic Bilbao and third-tier club SD Eibar was postponed and will be played on Dec. 12 as Bilbao’s UEFA Europa League match with Hapoel Kiryat Shmona was played on Wednesday. The two Basque teams drew 0-0 in the first leg.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely