Barcelona needs away goals rule to reach last 8 of Copa del Rey
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FC Barcelona suffered as they have not suffered this season to reach the last eight of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday night.
Barcelona could only draw 1-1 away to Athletic Club Bilbao, but thanks to having kept a clean sheet in the 0-0 draw in the Camp Nou before Xmas, they qualify thanks to the away goals rule.
The Catalans had the best chances in the game, but had to dig deeper than they have done all season against an Athletic that gave absolutely everything.
It was not until 15 minutes from time that Eric Abidal put Barca ahead with only his second ever goal for Barca. That left Athletic needing to score twice to win.
Most sides would have thrown in the towel, but Athletic kept on fighting and were rewarded when Fernando Llorente levelled with five minutes remaining.
Athletic looked for a second goal, but were unable to create further chances as Barcelona closed down the game effectively.
The day kicked off with Sevilla making good the 5-3 first leg lead they took to Malaga as they cruised through on an 8-3 aggregate.
Second half goals from Romaric and Perotti put Sevilla on their way to a 3-0 win in the night and their task was made easier when Malaga defender Weligton was sent off for two yellow cards 17 minutes from time.
Luis Fabiano scored Sevilla' s final goal in the last minute of the game.
Deportivo also qualified thanks to a 3-1 home win against second division Cordoba: Deportivo striker Adrian, who scored two goals in Bilbao at the weekend, continued his form with a hat-trick, two of which were from the penalty spot, as Deportivo won 4-1 on aggregate.
Deportivo' s win may have looked comfortable, but they had been a question of seconds from elimination after Arteaga had put Cordoba ahead after 86 minutes.
Adrian' s first goal of the night served to take the game into extra time, where he resolved the tie.
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