Copa del Rey quarter-final draw summary: matches, pairings, and fixtures

There we have it. Thanks ever so much for joining us for the draw for the quarter-finals of the 2023-24 Copa del Rey? Make sure you stay across AS USA for updates on the remainder of the tournament, we'll also have coverage of the remaining cup ties, starting next week. 

Who are you backing?

Copa del Rey 2023-24 quarter-finals set for 23, 24 and 25 January

The RFEF have confirmed the four ties will be played across those three dates mentioned below - Tuesday 23, Wednesday 24 and Thursday 25 January.  

When are the 2023-24 Copa del Rey quarter-finals?

Remember the Copa del Rey 2023-24 quarter-finals are to be played next week, with Wednesday 24 January the date set by the Spanish Soccer Federation. It would be a big surprise, however, if the four ties weren't spread across two, or even three dates, so you might need to keep Tuesday 23 and Thursday 25 free to watch the cup action. 

Atlético Madrid host Sevilla

They've been Spanish soccer's third and fourth forces in recent years (not this season, especially in Sevilla's case) but only one of Atlético Madrid and Sevilla will make it through to the semi-finals. 

Mallorca to play Girona

One-time winners Mallorca will play Copa del Rey virgins Girona in the Balearic Islands. Just a little jump across the water for the Catalans (once they get to the coast). 

Celta Vigo against Real Sociedad

Celta Vigo are one of two teams left who have never won the Copa del Rey. Could that change this year? They're in decent form, but so too are Real Sociedad. 

Athletic Club to host Barcelona

Barcelona have beaten Athletic in four different finals since 2009, so the Basques will be out for revenge. I wouldn't bet against them on current form...

That's all she wrote from Las Rozas. Let's take another look at those games. Some crackers in there!

"Mono " Burgos has just called Julian Escudé "The Picture of Dorian Gray," and I think the Copa del Rey has peaked. 

Atlético Madrid will host Sevilla at the Metropolitano. 

The last tie...Atleti at home. 

Costa calls Girona "cabrones" ("assholes") for doing so well this season. Nice. 

Now an awkward conversation between Costa and Martín...

Girona's Juan Carlos Martín reckons it'll be a tough tie against a good team, and they'll have to play well to win. Did you expect him to say anything else? 

The Mallorca man is happy to be at home, as you might expect. 

Mid-draw, we're getting Jaume Costa's view on the draw...

Mallorca will play Girona on the island. 

Mallorca get a home tie. 

Celta will be at home to Real Sociedad. 

Celta Vigo are the next host team. 

Athletic Club will host Barcelona in the first quarter-final. That's a big one!

Athletic Club first out. 

Burgos will do the home teams, Escudé the away teams, by the looks of it. 

Right, time to get down to business! 

"Could Girona do the double?" asks Saúl Ramos. 

"We're not favouring one competition (LaLiga or Copa del Rey) over the other," says Martín. 

Juan Carlos Martín of Girona, whose birthday is tomorrow, it's been revealed, is now talking about Girona's excitement ahead of the quarter-finals, whether they're drawn home or away. 

Copa del Rey 2023-24 round of 16 results

Just in case you'd forgotten...

Getafe 1-3 Sevilla

Athletic Club 2-0 Alavés

Tenerife 0-1 Mallorca (after extra time)

Valencia 1-3 Celta Vigo

Osasuna 0-2 Real Sociedad

Girona 3-1 Rayo Vallecano

Unionistas de Salamanca 1-3 Barcelona

Atlético Madrid 4-2 Real Madrid (after extra time)

Last but not least, a review of the goals in Wednesday's games, which were won by Real Sociedad and Celta Vigo. 

Mallorca's Jaume Costa is next on the video link and is getting hammered by his teammates who are listening to him through the door. Love it. 

"Mono" Burgos and Escudé are going to be the two draw assistants, by the way. 

Julien Escudé, whose name I think poor Saúl got wrong, played for Sevilla when they won the cup in 2007 and 2010. He's chatting to Ramos on stage about those cup victories. 

Sevilla attacker Isaac Romero, who scored twice against Getafe, is next to join us by video link, and discusses how that Round of 16 tie went down. 

A review now of Tuesday's cup ties, with saw Athletic Club, Sevilla and Mallorca progress. 

Unionistas goalscorer Álvaro Gómez speaks

We're now joined live by Unionistas de Salamanca player Álvaro Gómez, who scored this brilliant goal to give his team a shock lead against Barça, They couldn't hold on, but what a moment!

Burgos asks if he can take the cup, which is sitting a metre or so from home, away with him. I wouldn't mess with "El Mono", but I'm guessing the answer is "no". 

We're going to have some short interviews, starting with Atleti assistant Burgos. He's reflecting on the 2013 final, in which his club beat Real Madrid at the Bernabéu. 

We're now getting a recap of Thursday's round of 16 games, in which Barcelona edged past Unionistas and Atlético defeated Real Madrid in a classic cup tie. 

If I can get a clip of Blon before we wrap up, I'll stick it on the feed. Impressive stuff. 

The main man is well underway and I have to say "Mono" Burgos has perked up, he loves a bit of Spanish rap it seems. 

Blon has been given eight words to put together in a Copa del Rey rap. No problem. 

Up first, Atlético Madrid assistant manager Germán "Mono" Burgos, who doesn't look massively impressed...

Oh, wow, I wasn't expecting this...

The live audience are going to give Blon some words to freestyle with on stage. 

Blon, sadly, is a fan of Real Murcia, who aren't likely to win the Copa del Rey anytime soon. 

Spanish rapper Pablo Pérez, AKA "Blon", Spain's freestyle rap champ, has put together a quite unbelievable track specifically about the Copa del Rey round of 16/quarter-finals. Some dedication. 

Of course, we can't just go straight to the draw, though. Oh, no, no. 

We have a musical act for you...

Ladies and gentleman, boys and girls, we are live in Las Rozas for the 2023-24 Copa del Rey quarter-final draw!

Saúl Ramos is our host, as it the norm. 

Griezmann greatness against Real Madrid

While we wait for the draw to get underway, here's that magical Antoine Griezmann goal against Real Madrid on Thursday. More of the same in the quarter-finals, please!

Which teams are in the quarter-final draw?

One of these eight teams will get their hands on the trophy in Saturday 6 April. But which one will it be?

- Athletic Club

- Atlético Madrid

- Barcelona

- Celta Vigo

- Girona

- Mallorca

- Real Sociedad

- Sevilla

When will the Copa del Rey quarter-finals be played?

In case you missed it earlier, the quarter-final ties, which will be single-elimination matches involving extra time and penalties if necessary, are scheduled to be played next midweek and will most likely be spread out between Tuesday 23, Wednesday 24 and Thursday 25 January.

Exact kick-off times will be confirmed by the Spanish FA within the next 24 hours.

How does the draw work?

Just a few minutes to go until the draw begins! Here's a little reminder of how it will work.

With eight teams from the same division left in the competition, there will be no messing about in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals. One match to be played to a finish on the day, done and dusted (including extra time and penalties, if necessary). Unlike in previous rounds, when the team lower in the league pyramid played at home, anything goes in the last eight. A straight draw with no stipulations.

Copa del Rey winners: all-time list

Barcelona - 31

Athletic Club - 23

Real Madrid -20

Atlético Madrid -10

Valencia - 8

Real Zaragoza - 6

Sevilla - 5

Espanyol - 4

Real Betis - 3

Real Unión - 3

Real Sociedad - 2

Deportivo La Coruña - 2

Arenas - 1

Mallorca - 1

Club Ciclista de San Sebastián - 1

Racing Club de Irún - 1

Cup run a welcome distraction in turbulent Sevilla season

Where do we begin? Sevilla are already onto their third manager of the season, with the experienced Quique Sánchez Flores now in charge. The seven-time Europa League winners wouldn’t expect to be anywhere near the foot of the table, but they’re just one point clear of the relegation zone midway through the campaign.

It’s been win or bust for the Andalusians of late, with four victories (three in the Copa del Rey) and six defeats in their last 10 matches.

La Real in form but too many draws

Real Sociedad perhaps overachieved slightly last season, doing brilliantly to qualify for the Champions League. This season they have dropped off just a touch and are in sixth spot, but six points behind Atleti in fifth. They’ve lost only once in 14 matches, although six draws have held them back somewhat as they look to close the gap to the top five.

Aguirre's Mallorca on the up after one defeat in 10

Mallorca, coached by Mexican Javier Aguirre, are currently four points clear of the dreaded bottom three in LaLiga, and will be inevitably looking over their shoulders. Like Celta, though, they’ve been in pretty good form of late, losing just one of their last 10 matches in all competitions, although that does include three wins over teams from divisions below them in the cup.

One defeat all season for surprise package Girona

What more is there to be said about Girona? Did anyone expect them to be challenging at the top of the table midway through the season? I’m going to say “no”. Did we think they’d be in the quarter-finals of the cup? Maybe.

The Catalans have lost only one game all season, a 3-0 loss at home to Real Madrid. They are currently unbeaten in 16.

Celta improving under Benítez after poor start

Celta are toiling just a couple of points and places above the relegation zone in LaLiga but their form has picked up under former Liverpool and Real Madrid boss Rafa Benitez. They’ve lost only one of their last 10 games, which includes three Copa del Rey ties away from home.

Is the Copa del Rey Barcelona's best chance of silverware?

Barcelona are not in great shape, let’s be honest. To my own surprise, they’ve won four of their last five games in all competitions, although two of those have been unconvincing victories over lower-league opposition. The one they didn’t win was a 4-1 thrashing against Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final. Ouch.

They’ve got serious work to do if they’re to get back into the LaLiga title race, which means a cup win would be most welcome. Xavi’s side will face Napoli in the Champions League round of 16.

Patchy form dents Atlético Madrid title bid

Atlético Madrid will go into the last eight on a high after posting their second win of the season against bitter rivals Real Madrid in the round of 16. Diego Simeone’s men will draw level on points with third-placed Athletic in LaLiga if they win their game in hand, although their recent form has been rather patchy.

Atleti, who are safely through to the last 16 of the Champions League, where they will take on Inter, have won five but lost four of their last 10 fixtures in all competitions, with recent defeats away to Barcelona, Athletic and Girona seemingly ending their hopes of a title challenge.

Athletic Club Spain's in-form team

Athletic probably could hardly have dreamt of having a better first half to the season. Led by former Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde, the Basques are in third spot in the LaLiga standings, seven points behind second-placed Real Madrid but ahead of both Barça and Atlético Madrid, who have played a game fewer.

And Athletic are in red-hot form, unbeaten in 14 games in all competitions, 11 of which they have won, including the last six in a row.

A little over half an hour until the eight remaining clubs find out their fate as the dream of touching silverware edges ever closer! They all, obviously, won their last games, but how are the contenders shaping up in general?

Recent Copa del Rey winners

2013-14: Real Madrid

2014-15: Barcelona

2015-16: Barcelona

2016-17: Barcelona

2017-18: Barcelona

2018-19: Valencia

2019-20: Real Sociedad

2020-21: Barcelona

2021-22: Real Betis

2022-23: Real Madrid

Can Europa League masters Sevilla become Copa kings?

Sevilla are known for being the Europa League kings, but their Copa del Rey record isn't too shabby either. The Andalusians are seventh on the all-time list of winners with five victories, although perhaps not even your grandparents will remember the first three of them. They also won twice in the space of four seasons in 2007 and 2010, the first or those two wins coming a month after the second of their record seven Europa League wins.

Real Sociedad recent Copa winners

Real Sociedad are tied alongside Deportivo La Coruña on two Copa del Rey victories, one behind Real Betis and Real Union. "Who on earth are Real Union?" I hear you ask. Given their last cup win came in 1927, it's maybe not that much of a surprise if you've never heard of them before. They were one of LaLiga's founding members in 1929, are owned by Aston Villa manager Unai Emery but now play in the third tier. 

Anyway, La Real's most recent triumph came in the 2019-2020 competition, when they defeated Basque rivals Athletic in the final.

When Mallorca took the Copa del Rey off the Spanish mainland

The only island team ever to have won the Copa del Rey. Mallorca's cup win came in 2003 when they beat Recreativo de Huelva in the final (back in the day when two "smaller" teams could quite conceivably reach that stage in the same year, which feels harder to imagine now). That followed a couple of final defeats in the 1990s (1991 and 1998).

Girona join Spanish soccer elite

Girona are nowhere to be seen on the Copa del Rey honours list and for good reason. Some of you may know them as LaLiga's surprise package in 2023-24 but they were in Spain's fourth tier as recently as 2007 and the fifth in 1999. Considering how they've fared this season, it'd be foolish to write them off winning their first ever major trophy. A fairytale story (if it weren't for Manchester City's backing...).

Celta seeking first ever Copa del Rey

Celta Vigo were one of Spain's stronger teams in the late 1990s/early 2000s but that never translated into cup success. They've made it three finals and lost them all, in 1948, 1994 and 2001.

11 years and counting for Atlético Madrid

As you might expect, Atlético Madrid are one of the Copa del Rey’s more successful clubs, although their 10 victories leave them a long way behind Barça, Athletic and Madrid. They played in four finals in the 1990s, winning three of them, although they haven’t lifted the trophy since beating Real Madrid in their own backyard in the 2013 final. Diego Simeone has had plenty of joy as Atleti boss and will feel he’s due another domestic cup final after 11 years.

Athletic Club overdue more Copa del Rey success

Casual fans of Spanish soccer might be surprised to learn Athletic Club de Bilbao have won the Copa del Rey 23 times! That's three whole times more than Real Madrid, you know. Only Barcelona (31) have won it more.

The bad news is they haven't won it since 1984 and have lost their last six finals, most recently in 2021.

We've got eight teams remaining, who have had varying success over the years when it's come to the Copa del Rey. Let's did a little deeper...

La Cartuja in Sevilla to host 2023-24 Copa del Rey final

The Copa del Rey final used to get move about depending on which teams qualified but that has not been the case in recent years, with the Spanish Soccer Federation opting for La Cartuja in Seville as a permanent home for the fixture. The 2023-24 final will be the fifth in row played there. 

Copa del Rey 23-24: remaining key dates

These are the following key dates for the next rounds of the cup (games could be moved a day either side in the quarter-finals and semi-finals. Unlike the rest of the competition, the semi-finals are played over two legs.

Quarter-finals: Wednesday 24 January

Semi-finals (first leg): Wednesday 7 February

Semifinals (second leg): Wednesday 28 February

Final: Saturday 6 April (Estadio de la Cartuja in Seville)

Ramos roars as Sevilla see off Getafe

Let's not kid ourselves, Sevilla have been pretty hopeless this season. But they do love a cup win and they're well in with a chance in this one after a fine victory at Getafe, with former Real Madrid defedner Sergio Ramosopening the scoring early on. 

La Real oust Osasuna

Anyone who knows anything about Spanish soccer will tell you Osasuna is the stereotypical "tough place to go". Well, Real Sociedad may not entirely agree after their 2-0 triumph in Pamplona, secured thanks to second-half strikes from Mikels Oyarzabal and Merino. 

Last-minute Mallorca snatch island derby victory

Is there such a thing as an island derby? Between two teams on different islands? Well, there is now. Mallorca left it very, very, VERY late to defeat second-tier side Tenerife, with Canadian striker Cyle Larin's winner coming in the last minute of extra time. 

Girona storm into cup quarters

The Girona bandwagon keeps rolling, as they blew Rayo Vallecano away at Montilivi. Three goals inside the opening 26 minutes did for the Madrid-based side, with Cristhian Stuani netting twice. 

USMNT star de la Torre on target as Celta sink Valencia

USMNT midfield man Luca de la Torre set Celta Vigo on the road to victory away to Valencia, with Greek forward Tasos Douvikas at the double as the 2019 winners bowed out. 

Villalibre frees up Athletic path to quarter-finals

Striker Asier Villalibre scored a goal in either half as Athletic Club comfortably disposed of fellow Basques Alavés to reach the last eight. Ernesto Valverde's side are in superb form having won six games in a row. 

Barcelona in the hat after Unionistas scare

Relieved faces all round as Balde scored Barça's third to give them a two-goal cushion with just over 15 minutes to go. 

If you missed that one too, our Calum was all over it yesterday and it here to give you the lowdown. 

Barcelona make hard work of Unionistas

Two goals in quick succession from defenders Jules Koundé and Alex Balde saved Barcelona's blushes against third-tier Unionistas, who had taken a shock lead and should actually have been ahead even earlier in the opening minutes. Another stodgy display from the Catalans. 

Atlético - Real Madrid: a Copa classic

If you missed what some are already calling a cup classic, then fear not! Our Joe is here to explain to you how it all went down. 

Atlético revenge over Real Madrid

Just over a week after losing to Real Madrid in extra time in the Spanish Super Cup semi-finals, Atlético gained revenge by posting their second win of the season against Los Blancos at the Metropolitano, also in 120 minutes. Madrid twice pegged Atleti back in normal time, but Antoine Griezmann's worldie set the hosts on the road to victory. 

Let’s take a little look at how the eight remaining contenders booked their places in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals.

How the draw works

With eight teams from the same division left in the competition, there will be no messing about in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals. One match to be played to a finish on the day, done and dusted (including extra time and penalties, if necessary). Unlike in previous rounds, when the team lower in the league pyramid played at home, anything goes in the last eight. A straight draw with no stipulations.

When will the Copa del Rey quarter-finals be played?

The quarter-final ties, which will be single-elimination matches involving extra time and penalties if necessary, are scheduled to be played next midweek and will most likely to be spread out between Tuesday 23, Wednesday 24 and Thursday 25 January.

Exact kick-off times will be confirmed by the Spanish FA within the next 24 hours.

Copa del Rey 2023-24 round of 16 results

Getafe 1-3 Sevilla

Athletic Club 2-0 Alavés

Tenerife 0-1 Mallorca (after extra time)

Valencia 1-3 Celta Vigo

Osasuna 0-2 Real Sociedad

Girona 3-1 Rayo Vallecano

Unionistas de Salamanca 1-3 Barcelona

Atlético Madrid 4-2 Real Madrid (after extra time)

SOCCER

Copa del Rey quarterfinals draw: how to watch

I will obviously be here to tell you everything you need to know as the draw goes down but in case you fancy watching it yourself (and brushing up on your Spanish), there is an easy way to do so.

Our Sveto is here with all the info. 

Which teams are in the quarter-final draw?

117 teams down, eight to go! All of them from LaLiga. What happened to the magic of the cup?!

Athletic Club

Atlético Madrid

Barcelona

Celta Vigo

Girona

Mallorca

Real Sociedad

Sevilla

What time is the draw?

The draw for the quarter-fiinals will be held at the Luis Aragonés assembly hall at the Spanish Soccer Federation's Ciudad de Fútbol in Las Rozas, near Madrid. The draw is due to commence at around 1:00 p.m. local time, which is 7:00 a.m. ET and 4:00 a.m. PT. What better reason could you possibly have to get up before the crack of dawn, am I right?

Welcome to the 2023-24 Copa del Rey quarter-final draw!

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the quarter-final draw for the 2023-24 Copa del Rey as the eight remaining teams discover who they will face in the next round.

Are you up for the cup? After yesterday’s games (more on them later), how could you not be?!