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3-1: Third round bound

RCD Espanyol are into the next round of the Copa del Rey with victory over Real Valladolid

RCD Espanyol progressed in the Copa del Rey as they defeated Real Valladolid 3-1 on Tuesday night.

Luis Miguel Ramis’ side resumed their cup campaign inbetween two important league matches, hosting a side challenging them for promotion and, for tonight, a place in the third round. It was Valladolid who were on top in the opening stages, almost capitalising on some defensive mishaps and forcing Joan García into a sharp stop.

Despite a shaky start, Espanyol would strike first when Keita Balde played it into Jofre Carreras, waltzing into the box and converting with a tidy finish to draw first blood for the Mágico. Carreras would double the lead and his tally soon after, this time from Salvi Sánchez’s cross which found the academy product in acres of space to smash it home.

With a comfortable advantage the hosts almost saw it reduced at the end of the first half, but Valladolid’s Iván Cédric dragged his shot wide with the final chance before the break. Keeper García was called into action early into the second half, parrying away the initial threat before Leandro Cabrera made a crucial tackle from Cédric’s rebound.

There were far fewer opportunities for either side in the second half, with Espanyol comfortable while Valladolid kept pushing for a way through. They managed to get on the scoresheet with just eight minutes to play, when Isra Sala’s effort took a hefty deflection that beat García and set up a nervy end to the game for the hosts.

With Valladolid throwing everything and everyone up, including goalkeeper John Víctor, Espanyol hit them on the counter attack as substitute Javi Puado wrapped it up in stoppage time. A thoroughly deserved win to see the Mágico into the third round of the Copa del Rey, capping off a successful evening at the Stage Front Stadium.