The Copa del Rey, the Spanish cup competition, kicks off on Wednesday with six La Liga teams, including Atletico Madrid, taking the field against lower league clubs. Atletico, looking to avenge last season's semifinal loss, faces a team from the sixth tier of Spanish football. Other La Liga teams are also expected to have smooth sailing, but must follow the rule that requires seven first team players on the pitch at all times. This is an opportunity for them to gain some confidence and momentum before returning to league play.
Copa del Rey: La Liga Giants to Face Lower League Clubs in First Round
The Copa del Rey, Spain's national football cup competition, is set to kick off on Wednesday, with six La Liga teams taking the field against lower league opponents. Among the La Liga clubs in action will be Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, and Valencia CF.
Background
The Copa del Rey is a knockout tournament open to all clubs in the Spanish football pyramid. The competition was first held in 1903 and has been won by Barcelona more than any other club, with a record 31 titles.
In recent years, the Copa del Rey has become increasingly competitive, with lower league clubs often springing surprises against their more illustrious opponents. In 2020, third-tier UD Ibiza shocked Barcelona in the round of 32.
First Round Fixtures
Here are the first round fixtures involving La Liga teams:
Top 5 FAQs
1. What is the format of the Copa del Rey?
The Copa del Rey is a single-elimination tournament, with teams drawn against each other in random. The first round matches are played in a single leg, with the winners advancing to the next round. From the round of 32 onwards, matches are played over two legs.
2. Which teams are the favorites to win the Copa del Rey?
Barcelona and Real Madrid are the clear favorites to win the Copa del Rey, having won the competition a combined 54 times. However, lower league clubs have been known to spring surprises, so anything is possible.
3. Are there any special rules in the Copa del Rey?
Yes, there is a rule that requires teams to have at least seven first team players on the pitch at all times. This rule is designed to prevent teams from fielding weakened teams against lower league opponents.
4. What are the prize money and other incentives for winning the Copa del Rey?
The winner of the Copa del Rey will receive a trophy and a cash prize of €500,000. The winner will also qualify for the UEFA Europa League.
5. What is the history of the Copa del Rey?
The Copa del Rey is one of the oldest football competitions in the world, dating back to 1903. The competition was originally known as the Copa del Rey Alfonso XIII, and it was first won by Madrid FC (now Real Madrid).
In a spectacular upset, 47-year-old jockey Neil Callan guided 66-1 long shot No Half Measures to victory in the prestigious July Cup. The surprise win came as a shock to many, as racing powerhouses Godolphin and Coolmore are typically the ones to dominate such prestigious events. Callan, who had been struggling with a string of unsuccessful rides, was in disbelief as he crossed the finish line with No Half Measures, making for a truly remarkable and unexpected story in the world of horse racing.
During India's second innings at Lord's, opener Shubman Gill lost his temper and shouted a profanity-laced remark at England's Zak Crawley, which was caught on the stump microphone. This came after Crawley repeatedly held up play and frustrated the Indian fielders. Tensions escalated when Jasprit Bumrah's aggressive bouncer hit Crawley, leading to a heated exchange of words and mocking gestures from both teams. The day ended with England finishing at 2/0, while India equalized their first innings score of 387.
On the third day of the Lord's test match between India and England, tensions rose as Tim Southee criticized Shubman Gill for his behavior towards England opener Zak Crawley. Gill had been seen mouthing expletives towards Crawley, and India's team showed sarcasm when Crawley called for physio treatment. Southee later defended his statement, claiming that the series has been played in good spirits so far. India's captain, KL Rahul, also weighed in on the matter, stating that the exchange was just a part of the game and that India's intensity not solely dependent on it.
After setting a massive 608-run target, Team India turned to their bowlers to deliver a much-needed win. Wet conditions on the final day delayed play, but when England resumed at 72 for 3, it was a matter of time before India claimed the four remaining wickets. Akash Deep and Washington Sundar were the stars, taking crucial wickets of key players to give India a strong chance of levelling the series. Ravindra Jadeja's quick over also allowed for one more over before lunch, which proved to be the decisive moment when Sundar dismissed a stunned Ben Stokes to break a crucial partnership.
India and England were evenly matched on Day 3 of the 3rd Test at Lord's, with both teams being bowled out for the same score of 387 in their respective first innings. KL Rahul was the top performer for India, scoring a century, while Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja made valuable contributions with fifties. England's comeback man Jofra Archer dismissed opener Yashasvi Jaiswal quickly, but Karun Nair and captain Shubman Gill were unable to get a big score. Team India's fielding was strong, with Joe Root taking his 211th catch, but some heated moments between Gill and Crawley kept the audience on edge. Jasprit Bumrah's five-wicket haul was the highlight of Day 2, but England managed to level the score and will have the chance to take the lead in the remaining two innings.
The third Test match between England and India was left in a tense situation as both teams fought to gain an advantage on the third day. A late flurry of wickets from England towards the end of India's first innings saw the visitors finish with a score of 387, leveling it with England. However, controversy arose when England's Zak Crawley engaged in time-wasting tactics during the final overs, leading to a heated exchange between him and India captain Shubman Gill on the stump mic. As the match hangs in the balance, tensions between the teams are expected to continue on the final day.
In a dominant and record-breaking performance, Iga Swiatek of Poland has become the first ever Polish player to win a singles title at Wimbledon. In a 57-minute final match, the 24-year-old eighth seed defeated American Amanda Anisimova 6-0 6-0, making her the first player to win a Wimbledon final without dropping a single game in over a century. This marks Swiatek's sixth Grand Slam title and a perfect record of 6 out of 6 wins in Grand Slam finals. With this victory, she also becomes the quickest player since Serena Williams in 2004 to reach 100 wins at the majors.
The Aussies are on a roll as they gear up to face West Indies in the third and final match of the Test series. Having already won the first two matches, they are determined to maintain their dominance in the pink ball Test. With Pat Cummins winning the toss and choosing to bat first, both teams have announced their Playing XIs. Australia's star players Steve Smith and Cameron Green are in form, as they take on West Indies' Justin Greaves and Jomel Warrican. It's an intense battle as Australia reaches 100 runs.
As the third Test match between India and England at Lord’s continues, the Dukes ball controversy takes center stage once again on Day 3. Indian coach Ravi Shastri expresses frustration with the umpires for taking a long time to change the ball, and questions why balls that fail the gauge test are even in the box in the first place. This comes after both teams have complained about the ball not swinging as expected in the previous tests, and India faces some challenges with the replacement ball.
Emotions ran high at Lord's as England's Zak Crawley and India captain Shubman Gill exchanged heated words during the final over of the third day in the ongoing Test series. The confrontation adds another layer of intensity to an already tightly contested match, with England holding a narrow lead of two runs at stumps. Former England cricketer Marcus Trescothick praised Gill's batting performance while Taylor expressed satisfaction after a third successive win over Serrano. England's players remain confident and ready for their upcoming match against Wales.