Back

0-1: Out of the Cup

RCD Espanyol bow out of the Copa del Rey at the round of 32 stage at home to Getafe CF

RCD Espanyol lost 1-0 to Getafe CF in the Copa del Rey on Saturday, exiting the competition at the round of 32.

The Mágico began 2024 at the Stage Front Stadium in the round of 32 of the cup, taking on opposition from the first tier for a place in the next round. It was Espanyol with the early chances, first as Martin Braithwaite rounded the keeper but whose shot was blocked by Gastón Álvarez, then Pere Milla’s effort was straight at the goalkeeper.

They almost found the breakthrough on the half hour mark, when Getafe’s David Soria got down quickly to prevent Jofre Carreras from opening the scoring. Getafe themselves were finding space in the final third but not threatening until the end of the half, with Nemanja Maksimovic coming the closest for the visitors in a goalless first 45 minutes.  

In the second half chances were limited for either side, with little to no opportunities to break the deadlock. Espanyol looked promising going forward but just did not have that final edge, and it took just one moment of team play for Getafe to break through and score the decisive goal two minutes from time.

Four minutes of stoppage time was not enough for Espanyol to find a response, as they were knocked out of the Copa del Rey in the round of 32. Full focus now turns to the league and promotion to the top tier, with their next LALIGA Hypermotion match away to Racing Ferrol next Saturday.