Villarreal, Osasuna lose in Copa upsets; Atlético rolls

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This article was published 06/01/2022 (1703 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Villarreal and Osasuna became the latest topflight sides in Spain to be eliminated by lower-division rivals from the Copa del Rey, while Atlético Madrid eased into the round of 16 on Thursday.

Diego Simeone’s Atlético routed Rayo Majadahonda 5-0 to ensure it wouldn’t repeat its flop from last season, when it lost against another third-tier opponent. Cunha, Renan Lodi, Luis Suárez, Antoine Griezmann and João Félix scored for the defending league champions.

Griezmann walked off gingerly with a possible leg injury with 15 minutes left, putting in doubt his availability for Sunday’s Spanish league match at Villarreal and the Spanish Super Cup to be played in Saudi Arabia next week.

Unai Emery’s Villarreal lost 2-1 at Sporting Gijón after the second-division side came from behind.

Moi Gómez put Villarreal ahead just after halftime, only for Djuka Durdevic to level before defender Bogdan Milovanov struck the winner for the hosts with two minutes left.

“We congratulate them. They played their game, took advantage of their chances and got the win,” said Emery, whose side entered the match on a six-game winning streak across all competitions.

Osasuna was ousted by second-division Girona 1-0 after it failed to recover from an early goal by David Juncà.

First-division sides Levante, Alavés, Granada, Getafe and Celta Vigo had already lost to lower-division rivals.

Elche avoided the same fate after fighting back 2-1 at second-division leader Almería with Raúl Guti scoring the 84th-minute winner.

Cádiz needed a stoppage-time goal from Tomás Alarcón to eke out a 1-0 win at Fuenlabrada.

Sevilla had an easier time at Zaragoza and moved on after Jules Koundé and Rafa Mir scored in each half for a 2-0 victory.

NICO’S 1ST GOALS

Nico Williams scored his first two goals since becoming a regular starter for Athletic Bilbao this season to secure a 2-0 win at Atlético Mancha.

The 19-year-old Nico Williams is the younger brother of Bilbao striker Iñaki Williams.

Bilbao reached the last two finals of the Copa del Rey, losing both.

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