Barca crash out of cup after extra-time defeat by Athletic Bilbao

MADRID: Barcelona were dumped out of the Copa del Rey on Thursday (Jan 20) as Ferran Torres' first goal for the club failed to prevent a dramatic 3-2 defeat after extra-time by Athletic Bilbao.

Disappointment for Barca was compounded by the sight of a visibly upset Ansu Fati going off injured in the second half of normal time at San Mames.

Fati only returned earlier this month after two months out with a hamstring problem, having also come back in September following 10 months out with a knee injury.

Another spell on the sidelines for Fati would be a huge blow to Barca's hopes of making La Liga's top four. Pedri also asked to go off in extra-time.

Real Madrid needed an extra 30 minutes as well to defeat Elche 2-1, with Eden Hazard grabbing the winner after Marcelo's red card forced La Liga's leaders to come from behind with 10 men.

Isco scored the equaliser after Gonzalu Verdu put Elche in front.

"It may be that Hazard and Isco deserve to play more," said Carlo Ancelotti. "I know I can count on them."

Barca were hoping to join Real Madrid in the last eight but instead it is Athletic who advance, joining Madrid, Real Sociedad, Mallorca, Rayo Vallecano, Cadiz, Valencia and Real Betis in Friday's draw for the last eight.

Madrid will be firm favourites, particularly after Sevilla crashed out at the hands of Real Betis, who are now perhaps the greatest threat to Ancelotti's side winning their first Copa del Rey since 2014, during Ancelotti's first tenure as coach.

Barca won the Copa del Rey last season and defending their title was probably their best chance of silverware this term.

They are out of sight in La Liga and were beaten by Madrid in last week?s Spanish Super Cup, with the Europa League now their only realistic remaining