Madrid take command in last eight

Despite the late dismissal of England captain David Beckham, Real Madrid CF moved within touching distance of a place in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey with a 3-0 win at home to Valencia CF in tonight's quarter-final first leg.

Raúl on target
In a meeting between the Primera División's top two, the home side took the lead in the Santiago Bernabéu two minutes past the half-hour, Raúl González glancing Santiago Solari's cross into the net.

Advantage increased
Valencia, a point above Madrid in the league, strove for an equaliser but the home side adroitly exploited the extra space to score twice more in the final ten minutes. Brazilian striker Ronaldo doubled the lead nine minutes from time with a powerful shot, and Luís Figo made it 3-0 with a late penalty.

Late red cards
Both teams finished the match with ten men, with Beckham dismissed three minutes from time after picking up a second yellow card, and Valencia's David Albelda seeing red two minutes later after also receiving two cautions.

Decisive spell
Sevilla FC ran out even more emphatic winners, defeating a below-strength Club Atlético de Madrid side 4-0. Three goals in nine minutes midway through the first half put the home side in complete command, with Dario Silva, José Antonio Reyes and Pablo Alfaro all on target. A 73rd-minute free-kick from Julio Baptista rounded off the victory.

Two other quarter-finals
The other two first-leg ties are played on Thursday, with Deportivo Alavés at home to RC Celta de Vigo and FC Barcelona playing Real Zaragoza.