The Copa del Rey 2024-25 continues to captivate Spain’s football fanatics, with the Round of 16 matchups now confirmed. The prestigious tournament, which marks the oldest football competition in the country, has reached its knockout stages, and the road to the final is getting more intense.
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Copa del Rey 2024-25 Round of 16
After the third round of the Copa del Rey concluded in early January, 32 teams fought fiercely for a spot in the knockout rounds. While the traditional powerhouses like Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid, and Barcelona advanced without much trouble, some surprising eliminations occurred, with teams like Mallorca and Sevilla falling short against lower-tier opposition. The remaining 16 teams now have their sights set on the coveted Copa del Rey trophy.
As the excitement mounts, the teams were eagerly awaiting the results of the Round of 16 draw on January 8. The following fixtures have been set, with each match promising thrilling encounters.
Copa del Rey 2024-25 Round of 16 Fixtures
The draw for the Copa del Rey 2024-25 Round of 16 produced a series of intriguing clashes:
- Pontevedra vs. Getafe
- Ourense vs. Valencia
- Almería vs. Leganés
- Elche vs. Atlético Madrid
- Real Madrid vs. Celta Vigo
- Barcelona vs. Real Betis
- Real Sociedad vs. Rayo Vallecano
- Athletic Bilbao vs. Osasuna
Pontevedra CF, the only team from the Second Federation, will host La Liga’s Getafe at Pasarón. This marks a significant achievement for the club, as they’ve made it this far in Spain’s oldest football tournament. Ourense CF, hailing from the First Federation, will also play at home against Valencia, one of the last teams to secure their place in the knockout stages.
Other teams that emerged from the Second Division include UD Almería and Elche CF. Almería will meet CD Leganés at home, while Elche has drawn a difficult matchup against Atlético Madrid.
For the rest of the teams, the draw paired 12 La Liga sides together, with the teams finishing higher in the league standings granted home advantage.
Real Madrid vs. Celta Vigo
One of the standout fixtures in this round is the encounter between Real Madrid and Celta Vigo. Los Blancos, fresh off a win in their last La Liga meeting with Celta (a 1-2 victory in October), will be determined to move one step closer to lifting another Copa del Rey title.
Celta Vigo, despite being a challenging side, will look to pull off an upset. The fixture will undoubtedly be an exciting spectacle, with Real Madrid aiming to regain momentum after their recent domestic struggles.
Barcelona vs. Real Betis
Another mouthwatering fixture is Barcelona versus Real Betis. In their most recent meeting on December 7, Barcelona and Betis played to a thrilling 2-2 draw. Both teams will be keen to go one better and secure their progression to the next round of the competition. Barcelona, under the guidance of Xavi Hernandez, will be pushing for another Copa del Rey triumph, but Betis, led by Manuel Pellegrini, are known for their resilience and could prove to be formidable opposition.
Athletic Bilbao vs. Osasuna
The defending Copa del Rey champions, Athletic Bilbao, will face Osasuna in a repeat of their La Liga encounter on December 21, which saw Bilbao claim a 1-2 victory. With the momentum of a recent win behind them, Athletic Bilbao will look to defend their title in front of their home crowd. Osasuna, however, will not be easily intimidated and will be out to upset the defending champions.
Atlético Madrid vs. Elche
Atlético Madrid will face Elche, a team from Segunda División. Despite Elche’s impressive run to the Round of 16, they will likely face an uphill battle against the reigning La Liga champions. Atlético Madrid, led by Diego Simeone, has been in good form, and it would be a massive surprise if they fail to progress past Elche.
Other Key Matches
- Real Sociedad vs. Rayo Vallecano: Both teams have shown great promise this season, and this encounter promises to be a closely contested battle.
- Pontevedra vs. Getafe: As the only Second Federation side left, Pontevedra will hope to pull off a historic upset against top-flight Getafe.
- Ourense vs. Valencia: Ourense will welcome Valencia in a matchup that could go either way, as the lower division team looks to prove their worth.
When Is the Copa del Rey?
The excitement surrounding the Copa del Rey 2024-25 is far from over. With the Round of 16 set to kick off from January 14 to 16, fans across Spain will be eagerly anticipating these thrilling encounters. The competition continues to offer the perfect stage for surprises, as clubs from all divisions fight for glory.
As each match unfolds, the drama will intensify, with the eventual winners dreaming of lifting the Copa del Rey trophy. It’s safe to say that this tournament will continue to provide unforgettable moments for football lovers.
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FAQs
When do the Copa del Rey 2024-25 Round of 16 matches take place?
The Copa del Rey Round of 16 matches will begin on January 14, 2025, and end by January 16, 2025.
Which teams are in the Copa del Rey 2024-25 Round of 16?
The teams in the Round of 16 include Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atlético Madrid, Celta Vigo, Real Betis, Real Sociedad, Rayo Vallecano, Pontevedra, Getafe, Ourense, Almería, Leganés, Athletic Bilbao, Osasuna, Valencia and Valencia.
What was the result of Real Madrid vs. Celta Vigo earlier this season?
Real Madrid defeated Celta Vigo 1-2 in their last La Liga encounter in October 2024.
How did Barcelona fare against Real Betis in their last meeting?
Barcelona and Real Betis played to a 2-2 draw on December 7, 2024, in their last La Liga matchup.
Which lower division teams are still in the Copa del Rey 2024-25?
Pontevedra CF and Ourense CF are the only lower-division teams remaining in the Round of 16, with Pontevedra hosting Getafe and Ourense playing Valencia.
