体坛英语新闻：Few surprises in Spanish Copa del Rey

MADRID, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid were involved in one of the few minor upsets which took place in the last 32 of the Copa del Rey knockout competition in Spain over the past three days.

The last 32 sees the sides from the BBVA Primera Liga enter the hat for the competition with those playing in Europe drawn to play the lowest ranked sides remaining in the tournament in a tie which is played on a home and away basis with the first leg played in the ground of the smaller club.

Real Madrid faced third tier side Olimpic de Xativa and despite fielding a strong team were only able to draw 0-0, although they are overwhelming favorites to qualify with ease in the return leg.

Real Sociedad also suffered a similar upset, although they too will expect to qualify after a 1-1 draw away to Algeciras.

Elsewhere FC Barcelona won 4-1 in Cartagena, while Atletico Madrid cruised home 4-0 past San Andreu to leave their second legs matches virtually meaningless.

Betis won 2-1 away to Lleida, while Sevilla won 1-0 away to racing Santander with a goal scored by former Racing player, Jairo.

There were minor surprises in Huelva, where the second division high-flyers defeated Levante 1-0, a result diluted by the fact that less than 1,000 fans turned up to watch the game, while Girona drew at home to Primera Liga, Getafe in another match played in front of largely empty stands.

There was more excitement in Villarreal - Elche, which ended 2-2, while Celta and Athletic Club Bilbao produced an exciting match which Celta won 1-0 thanks to a goal from striker Santi Mina, who was celebrating his 18th birthday.

Valladolid - Rayo failed to produce any goal, the same as Gimnastic Tarragona against Valencia, where the third tier side claimed a draw against the inconsistent top flight squad.

Second division Jaen also claimed a draw; 2-2 this time at home to Espanyol, while two goals from Oscar Diaz and one from Alex Vidal game Almeria an unassailable 3-0 lead after just 25 minutes away to Las Palmas in a game that ended 3-1 to the top flight side.

Finally Malaga against Osasuna ended 3-3 as Osasuna fought back from 3-0 down to claim a 3-3 draw that makes them favorites to qualify for the next round, where the qualifier is likely to face Real Madrid.

Roberto Torres, Onwu and Emiliano Armentanos scored the goals that produced the impressive fightback which raises the pressure on Malaga coach Bernd Schuster.