Barcelona, Valencia, Real Sociedad Among Early Qualifiers for Copa del Rey Round of 16

At least five teams have secured their places in the Round of 16 of the Copa del Rey following the conclusion of Tuesday’s Round of 32 fixtures.

Spanish giants Barcelona, alongside Deportivo, Elche, Real Sociedad, and Valencia, all progressed after navigating their respective ties to keep their cup dreams alive.

Barcelona sealed their qualification with a 2–0 victory over CD Guadalajara at the Pedro Escartín Stadium. Despite being clear underdogs, Guadalajara showed admirable determination and discipline, pushing the LaLiga champions for long spells of the contest. However, second-half goals from Andreas Christensen and Marcus Rashford eventually broke the hosts’ resistance and ensured safe passage for the Blaugrana.

Elsewhere, Deportivo, Elche, Real Sociedad, and Valencia also did enough to advance, setting the tone for what promises to be an exciting knockout phase of Spain’s prestigious domestic cup.

More Round of 32 matches will be played today, with additional teams expected to join the early qualifiers in the last-16 draw.

Opinion: The Magic of the Cup Still Lives

The Copa del Rey continues to justify its reputation as a competition where grit meets glamour. While the big names are progressing as expected, matches like Guadalajara’s spirited display against Barcelona remind fans why the tournament remains special.

For clubs like Barcelona, the focus will be on maintaining balance—rotating the squad while keeping their silverware ambitions intact. For the smaller teams, even in defeat, strong performances can serve as a statement of growth and belief.

As the Round of 16 takes shape, the pressure will rise, margins will shrink, and surprises may yet emerge. If Tuesday’s fixtures are anything to go by, the Copa del Rey is once again poised to deliver drama, passion, and unforgettable football moments.