体坛英语新闻：Real Madrid kick off Cup campaign with 0-0 draw to 3rd tier Xativa

MADRID, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid failed to win the first leg of their last 32 Copa del Rey tie away to third tier side Olimpic de Xativa after being held to a 0-0 draw by the side from close to Valencia on Saturday night.

Although Madrid were without Cristiano Ronaldo, Xabi Alonso and Gareth Bale, who was struck down with flu prior to the game, Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti fielded a string side including players such as Sergio Ramos, Angel de Maria and Iker Casillas, but saw how they were unable to put one goal past a team playing two divisions below them in a lackluster display.

Reigning cup holders, Atletico Madrid in contrast assured their place in the last 16 with a 4-0 win away to San Andreu. Atletico never looked back after Raul Garcia put them ahead on 13 minutes and Arda Turam doubled the lead 7 minutes later.

Turam netted his second 10 minutes into the second half and David Villa rounded off the scoring in the closing minutes to make the return leg a virtual irrelevance.

Celta Vigo striker Santi Mina celebrated his 18th birthday with the only goal of the game as his side defeated Athletic Club Bilbao 1-0 in their first leg tie.

Mina took advantage of a defensive error in a game where Athletic, who last weekend defeated FC Barcelona, wasted chances to have taken at least a draw back to Bilbao for the second leg.

Second division Girona drew 1-1 at home to Getafe. Both goals came in the first half with David Timor netting for Girona, while Ciprian Marica equalized, before both teams seemed to settle for the draw as the second half progressed.

Saturday's remaining game saw second division promotion hopefuls, Recreativo Huelva defeated Levante 1-0 thanks to a 90th minute goal scored by left back Ruyman in a game played in front of less than 1,000 fans in Huelva.

Friday saw Barcelona win 4-1 in Cartagena thanks partly to two goals from Pedro Rodriguez, Betis triumph 2-1 in Lleida, Villarreal and Elche draw 2-2, Algeciras take a 1-1 draw at home to Real Sociedad and Valladolid and Rayo draw 0-0

The remaining ties will be played on Sunday.