Fourth-Tier Logroñés Stun Girona in Copa del Rey Drama
In a night of pure footballing drama, last year’s surprise package Girona found themselves on the wrong end of a giant-killing story. On Wednesday, fourth-division side Logroñés pulled off a stunning upset, knocking Girona out of the Copa del Rey in the second round. The match ended in a nail-biting 4-3 penalty shootout, with an unlikely hero emerging for the underdogs.
That hero? None other than 19-year-old left-back Pol Arnau, who stepped into the spotlight in the most unexpected way. When Logroñés’ starting goalkeeper Kike Royo was forced off with an injury during extra time, and with all substitutions already used, Arnau was thrust into the role of stand-in goalkeeper. What followed was nothing short of extraordinary.
Arnau, whose footballing pedigree is undeniable—he’s the son of the late Barcelona and Málaga goalkeeper Francesc Arnau and brother of fifth-division Mollerussa keeper Marc Arnau—showed he was no stranger to the pressure. Despite being out of position, he made several crucial saves to keep Girona at bay and drag the match into a penalty shootout after a goalless 120 minutes.
But Arnau wasn’t done yet. In the shootout, he saved a penalty from Girona’s star striker Abel Ruiz, a moment that sent shockwaves through the stadium. Moments later, Girona’s veteran forward Cristhian Stuani rattled the crossbar, sealing Logroñés’ stunning victory and sending their fans into raptures.
LaLiga Sides Fall to Lower-League Opposition
Girona weren’t the only LaLiga side to suffer an early exit from the Spanish Cup this week. On Tuesday, Espanyol were sent packing after a shocking 2-0 defeat to fourth-division Barbastro. The upsets kept coming on Wednesday, as Villarreal were stunned by another fourth-tier side, Pontevedra. A last-gasp goal from Dalisson de Almeida secured a 1-0 victory for Pontevedra, adding another chapter to this week’s Cinderella stories.
Elsewhere, Valencia, Betis, Celta Vigo, Las Palmas, and Rayo Vallecano all avoided similar fates, cruising to comfortable wins and advancing to the next round. However, it wasn’t smooth sailing for everyone. Valladolid needed extra time to edge past Real Avila 4-2, while Leganes scraped through on penalties, beating fourth-division Estepona 3-2 after a 2-2 draw.
What’s Next in the Copa del Rey?
The action isn’t over yet. Atletico Madrid are set to face Cacereno on Thursday, while Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona will make their Copa del Rey debuts in the next round. With the competition already delivering so much drama, fans will be eagerly awaiting what’s to come.
Key Takeaways from a Wild Week
- Pol Arnau’s Heroics: The 19-year-old left-back turned emergency goalkeeper stole the show, proving that football is full of surprises.
- LaLiga Teams Stunned: Girona, Espanyol, and Villarreal all fell to fourth-division opposition, highlighting the magic of the Copa del Rey.
- Big Names Still to Come: Real Madrid and Barcelona are yet to enter the fray, but the competition has already delivered unforgettable moments.
As the dust settles on this week’s action, one thing is clear: the Copa del Rey remains one of the most unpredictable and thrilling competitions in football. Whether it’s a fourth-division side toppling a LaLiga giant or a young player stepping up in the most unexpected way, the magic of the cup is alive and well.
Originally Written by: Sam Marsden
