MADRID, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- Athletic Club Bilbao and FC Barcelona will play each other in the last 16 of the Copa del Rey following the draw which was made on Friday in Madrid.
Barca claimed their place in the last 16 after a narrow win 2-1 away to third tier Linares on Wednesday thanks to goals from Ousmane Dembele and Ferran Jutgla, while Thursday saw Athletic cruise past fourth tier Atletico Mancha Real with two goals from teenager Nico Williams.
The Basque side will look for revenge for their 4-0 Cup defeat in April, and showed in a 1-1 draw against Barca earlier this season that they have a chance of knocking out the Cup holders.
Real Madrid will make a visit to Elche in the same round, while Real Sociedad entertain Atletico Madrid in another of the standout ties.
The round has also given fans the prospect of a Seville derby as Betis and Sevilla, who are currently third and second in La Liga, renew one of the most bitter local rivalries in Spain, with Betis having home advantage.
Atletico Baleares from the third tier RFEF Primera Division are rewarded for knocking Getafe and Celta Vigo out of the last two rounds of the tournament with a home tie against Valencia, while Sporting Gijon, who produced a surprise to beat Villarreal on Thursday, have a home tie against Cadiz.
Second division Girona may fancy their chances of progressing when they play at home to Rayo Vallecano, while Mallorca play Espanyol in another all top-flight tie. ■
