Real Betis Balompié tied with RCD Espanyol today in the first leg of the Copa del Rey quarter-finals, played at RCDE Stadium. The Green and Whites controlled the ball throughout the game, but the home team took the lead in the first half. Sanabria levelled the score up ten minutes before the end.

The match went underway with high pace, with both teams displaying a high pressing. The first chance came just before the tenth minute through an effort from Loren that went wide.

The 15th minute had not arrived yet when Espanyol had their first with a header from Baptistao to which Robles responded with a good save. A minute later, Espanyol keeper Roberto made another great save to a shot from Canales. Chances started to come and Iglesias had a Good one, sending wide his shot from outside the box.

After these few chances, the pace of the game lowered a bit and Betis got the possession and imposed their style. However, the locals scored in an isolated play finished by Iglesias after a miss from Piatti that became a good involuntary assist.

After the goal, Betis tried to continue in the same way, superior in ball control but lacking some depth in attack. A couple of minutes before half time, a good play led by Canales ended up in a cross from delivered by Tello that Barragán volleyed, but Roberto blocked it.

The second half began without changes in any of the teams. Just after the start, Guardado tried after a long play, but the ball went over the bar. The game continued being quite even. Betis had more possession and were looking to level the score up, while Espanyol continued with high pressing.

In the 61st minute, Betis scored, but the goal was disallowed for offside. A couple of minutes later, Roberto made a superb save to a Sanabria's effort in a corner kick. The home goalkeeper denied also Bartra a bit later after a good personal play by the defender.

Betis continued pushing and looking for the goal without a break. Espanyol were completely under siege at this point. In this way, in the 80th minute, Carvalho started a fifty-metre run that no rival could step. He passed the ball to León, whose cross to the far past was tapped in by Sanabria. Near the end, a ball lost by Kaptoum left Iglesias alone, but Robles made a great save to the leave the score as it was.

RCD Espanyol: Roberto, Rosales, Luis, Hermoso, Vilà, Roca, Darder, Melendo (Álex López 83'), Baptistao (Sergio García 66'), Piatti (Puado 77'), Borja Iglesias. Goals: Iglesias (26'). Booked: Hermoso (5').

Real Betis Balompié: Joel Robles, Barragán, Mandi, Bartra, Feddal, Tello (Lainez 79'), Carvalho, Guardado, Canales, Sanabria (Kaptoum 85') y Loren (Sergio León 61'). Goals: Sanabria (80'). Booked: Feddal (7').

Referee: Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz.