This Saturday’s matchday was thrilling until the very last moment of the night, with the play-offs decided at the final instant and two huge surprises in the round of 16 matches.

Saturday closed with an action-packed day full of emotion, with two eliminations decided in the final moments and an unexpected twist in the play-offs. Betis and Atlètic Segre showed that in football, anything can happen, and big surprises are always possible.

Real Betis Balompié came all the way from Seville to make a statement. On Saturday, they managed to eliminate FC Barcelona in a match that kept all fans on the edge of their seats. The match ended 1-1, a draw that didn’t seem to reflect the level of play from both teams, but the decision came through a penalty shootout. In a tense conclusion, the Verdiblancos kept their cool and seized their opportunity to seal their place in the quarter-finals. “An incorrect decision, the member of the organization thought it had gone in, and it was a misunderstanding that was resolved thanks to the video from the teammate,” said the coach.

“We see ourselves as favorites, we have many chances to win this tournament,” said Marcos, one of the key players in the match.

On the other hand, Atlètic Segre pulled off one of the biggest surprises of the day by eliminating Real Sociedad with a commanding 3-1 victory. The Catalan team played an effective and solid style of football that left Real Sociedad unable to respond. They couldn’t maintain their lead and ultimately succumbed to a rival that showed incredible ability to surprise. With this result, Atlètic Segre advances to the quarter-finals, leaving behind one of the strongest teams of the season.

Other results from Saturday

Apart from the spectacular matches between Betis and FC Barcelona, and Atlètic Segre and Real Sociedad, Saturday’s matchday was full of even more surprises and eliminations that left fans astounded.

One of the most notable results was Atlético de Madrid being knocked out by Valencia. In a very tight match, the Valencia team managed to overcome the Atleti, who couldn’t avoid defeat despite their potential. Valencia continues to show that this tournament suits them perfectly, and with this win, they secure a spot in the quarter-finals, leaving Atlético de Madrid with the frustration of an early exit once again.

On the other hand, Espanyol secured a key victory against Badalona, a match in which the Pericos gave no chance to the Badalona team. With a convincing scoreline, Espanyol ensures their progression to the next round, leaving behind a team that fought until the end but couldn’t match the Catalan team’s superiority.

Finally, Sporting also did their part and triumphed over Mataró in a match that, although it seemed quite even, ended with Sporting taking control. The Asturians showed their quality at key moments, sending Mataró out of the competition with a fiery Quaresma leading the way.