MADRID, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- The draw for the semifinals of Spain's Copa del Rey knockout tournament on Friday saw Mallorca will play Real Sociedad, while Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao go head-to-head for a place in the final.
Unlike the other rounds in the Copa, the semifinal is played on a home and away basis, with the first games played in Mallorca and Madrid respectively on February 6 and 7, while the return matches are in San Sebastian on February 27 and in Bilbao two days later.
Athletic Bilbao defeated Barcelona 4-2 on Wednesday to book their fifth consecutive semifinal appearance, although they have lost their two previous semifinals against Osasuna and Valencia.
Atletico beat Sevilla 1-0 on Thursday night and last won the cup in 2013, while Real Sociedad, who won 2-1 at Celta Vigo in the last round, beat Athletic 1-0 in the 2020 final.
Mallorca caused the biggest upset in the last eight when they won 3-2 at home to league leaders Girona, and they won the cup for the only time in their history in 2003, although they were beaten finalists in 1991 and 1998. ■
