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| Copa del Rey Round of 16: Barcelona Draws Racing Santander, Real Madrid Travels to Albacete – Exciting Matchups Ahead. |
The draw for the Round of 16 in the Copa del Rey has been finalized, and football fans have plenty to look forward to. Reigning champions Barcelona will face Racing Santander away from home, while Real Madrid is set to visit Albacete in what promises to be a thrilling stage of the competition.
The draw, held on Wednesday in Las Rozas, Madrid, also revealed other intriguing matchups. Atlético Madrid will take on Deportivo La Coruña, and Athletic Club will clash with Cultural Leonesa. All teams will be fighting hard for a spot in the quarterfinals, making these games particularly intense.
The Round of 16 matches are scheduled to take place from Tuesday to Thursday next week. Kick-off times will be announced soon.
Currently, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid, and Athletic Club are competing in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for this season’s Spanish Super Cup. This adds another layer of challenge, as these teams must quickly return to Spain to compete in the Copa del Rey.
Other matchups in the draw include Burgos vs. Valencia, Real Betis vs. Elche, Real Sociedad vs. Osasuna, and Alavés vs. Rayo Vallecano. These fixtures are expected to be competitive, with potential surprises in store.
Barcelona recently made headlines by defeating Real Madrid 3-2 after extra time in last May’s Copa del Rey final, securing a historic domestic treble. The club holds a record 32 Copa del Rey titles, while Athletic Club has 24, and Real Madrid 20. Athletic ended a 40-year wait by lifting the trophy in 2024, with Real Madrid winning it the previous year.
In last month’s round of 32, Barcelona beat Guadalajara 2-0, while Real Madrid needed a brace from Kylian Mbappé—currently sidelined with a knee injury—to edge past Talavera 3-2.
The Super Cup finalists will also face a packed schedule. Barcelona meets Athletic Club, and Real Madrid takes on Atlético Madrid in the semifinals this Wednesday and Thursday. Their Copa del Rey matches follow just days after returning from Saudi Arabia, with the Super Cup final set for Sunday night.
With such a tight schedule and formidable opponents, the Round of 16 in the Copa del Rey is shaping up to be full of drama and excitement. Football fans worldwide can look forward to top-class action as Spain’s biggest clubs battle it out for glory.
