The quarter finals of the Spanish Cup kicked off yesterday.
Second division Murcia were hoping for an upset at Cup holders Deportivo La Coruna and indeed acquitted themselves admirably. In the end Depor’s class told as they scraped home by a goal to nil. Murcia will nevertheless go into the return fixture believing they have a chance.
The first-half saw an impressively solid defensive display from the visitors; they allowed Deportivo only two chances on goal.
Javier Irureta’s men came at Murcia stronger in the second half. The impressive forward Luque was close twice, forcing a save from the Murcia goalie before sending a sublime cross by full-back Manuel Pablo just wide with a neat flick.
One sensed a goal was coming, and it was another Manuel Pablo run and cross that produced it. The ball was only half cleared by the nervy Murcia defence, midfielder Aldo Duscher picked the loose ball up and steered it home at the near post to settle the first leg. Last year’s villain for the tackle that broke England captain David Beckham’s foot, Duscher became Depor’s hero.
Recreativo Huelva had welcome respite from their trials and tribulations in the league – they lie bottom with only 11 points in 18 games – with a 1-0 victory at home to Atletico Madrid – Emilio Viqueira the scorer.
The game’s most notable incident was the injury to veteran defender Carlos Aguilera. The ball struck him full in the face late in the game and he collapsed. The Spaniard required mouth-to-mouth resuscitation when he lost consciousness and stopped breathing, and was rushed to hospital.
Atletico vice president Lazaro Albarracin confirmed the defender has recovered but said: “…he’ll stay in the hospital (for now) and remain under observation.”
In the evening’s other game, Sevilla drew 1-1 with Osasuna.Real Madrid, last year’s beaten finalists play Real Mallorca in the Bernebeu later today in the remaining quarter-final tie.
