Real Sociedad Now Favored to Win Copa del Rey After Barca, Real Madrid, Valencia & Villarreal All Knocked Out in Quarterfinals
- Real Sociedad stun Zidane’s men to reach last four
- They now face Segunda Division giant-killers Mirandes
- Athletic Bilbao meet fellow La Liga side Granada
Real Sociedad are the new favorites to win Spain’s Copa del Rey after the extra-ordinary shake-up at the competition’s last eight stage.
Sociedad eliminated mighty Real Madrid to reach the semifinal while Barcelona were also knocked out by Athletic Bilbao.
Last year’s winners Valencia were also dumped by Granada while La Liga Segunda Division side Club Deportivo Mirandes also progressed by defeating La Liga Primera outfit Villareal.
Friday’s draw paired Sociedad with Mirandes – who have already knocked out Primera Division sides Celta Vigo, Sevilla and Villareal – for the two-legged semifinal. Bilbao will meet Granada.
Copa del Rey 2019-20 Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Real Sociedad | +125 |
| Athletic Bilbao | +175 |
| Granada | +400 |
| Mirandes | +1100 |
Odds taken on Feb. 8.
Sociedad and Bilbao are the two biggest teams left in the cup but must play their first leg ties in the week beginning February 10 away from home.
The return matches will be staged in the week beginning March 2.
Triumph for Two Basque Teams
The quarterfinals threw up some shock results and were also notable for the fact that two teams from the fiercely independent Basque region of Spain – Sociedad and Bilbao – triumphed over the two most powerful clubs in the land.
It is the first time in a decade that neither of Spain’s two heavyweight clubs are in the last four. Track the previous Copa Del Rey odds.
Sociedad claimed a stunning 4-3 victory in Madrid’s home Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Thursday evening.
Gareth Bale left the Bernabeu when Real Madrid were losing 4-1 against Real Sociedad. 👋 https://t.co/8iVdtPnoO2
— SPORTbible (@sportbible) February 7, 2020
The visitors led 4-1 at one stage and then held off Madrid’s late fight-back.
Midfielder Martin Odegaard – who is on loan from Madrid – opened the scoring for Sociedad in the 22nd minute in the Spanish capital.
Although Rodrygo and Nacho hit the target late on for Madrid, Socieded underdogs held on for a famous win.
Swedish international forward Alexander Isak then added two more.
Madrid pulled one back through Marcelo in the 59th minute. Although Rodrygo and Nacho hit the target late on for Madrid, underdogs Sociedad held on for a famous win.
Bilbao’s advance to the semifinal was just as extra-ordinary with an own goal in added time at the end by Sergio Busquets handing them victory.
Mirandes are providing the romantic story of this season’s competition. They produced an impressive 4-2 defeat of Villareal in the last eight on Wednesday to reach the semifinals.
Sociedad are from the Atlantic coastal city of San Sebastian and last won the Copa del Rey in 1986-87. Their only previous success was in 1909.
Derby Fervor in Store
Their last four opponents are based in the province of Burgos only 80 miles south of San Sebastian so a big derby atmosphere is in store for both legs of the tie.
Mirandes have never reached La Liga’s Primera Division and were promoted back to the Segunda Division only last season, having dropped into the third tier of Spanish football five years earlier.
According to The Sun, Athletic Bilbao are interested in bringing Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga back to the club. pic.twitter.com/Y0d0Kd2M3w
— Vince™ (@Blue_Footy) February 4, 2020
In the round of 32, this season Mirandes scored a 2-1 victory at home against La Liga strugglers Celta Vigo.
Mirandes famously reached the semifinal of the Copa del Rey in season 2011-12 while in the third tier.
In the following round, they pulled off a shock 3-1 win at home against Sevilla, who are currently placed fourth in La Liga’s top flight.
Mirandes famously reached the semifinal of the Copa del Rey in season 2011-12 while in the third tier.
Along the way, they defeated Villareal, Racing Santander and Espanyol before being eliminated at the last four stage by Athletic Bilbao.
They also reached the quarterfinals in 2015-16 while in Segunda Division B but were knocked out by Sevilla.
Sociedad are currently placed eighth in La Liga ahead of the weekend Basque derby clash with Bilbao on Sunday.
Mirandes are in the 11th position in the Segunda Division. Their stadium holds just 5,769 spectators.
Winners 23 times
Athletic Bilbao have won the Cop del Rey 23 times although their last success came in 1983-84.
They are currently ninth in La Liga ahead of the meeting with Sociedad on Sunday.
Manchester City are monitoring Lionel Messi's public fallout with Barcelona and believe they would be in the running if he decides to leave Camp Nou, sources have told ESPN. pic.twitter.com/wI7TBKlUuV
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) February 7, 2020
Their quarterfinal win against Barcelona was their first meeting with a Primera Division team in this season’s Copa del Rey.
Barcelona had been winners of the trophy in four of the previous five seasons.
This is Granada’s first time in the semi-finals since 1968-69.
Bilbao’s opponents Granada have never won the Copa del Rey. They were runners-up in 1958-59.
This is Granada’s first time in the semifinals since 1968-69.
The Copa del Rey semi-finalists 🔥
Granada
Mirandés
Real Sociedad
Athletic ClubWho would've thought that? 🤯 pic.twitter.com/FufKdfzQgB
— Soccer AM (@SoccerAM) February 7, 2020
They were 10th in La Liga’s Primera Division before Saturday’s trip to Atletico Madrid.
This season’s final will be staged on April 18 at the Estadio Cartuja in Seville.
John Dillon is a leading member of the UK's sporting media, having spent three decades as a national newspaper soccer and sports writer, broadcaster and author. He has covered five World Cups, six European Championships and was Chief Sports Writer at the Daily Express for 14 years.
