"Defending champion Barcelona avoided an upset a day after Real Madrid faltered in the Copa del Rey, edging second-division leader Racing Santander 2-0 Thursday to reach the quarterfinals. Madrid, which lost last year's Copa final to Barcelona, was eliminated by second-tier team Albacete 3-2 on Wednesday in the debut of coach Álvaro Arbeloa. Ferran Torres broke the deadlock in Santander on a breakaway in the 66th minute, receiving a pass by Fermín López and going past the goalkeeper before finding the open net."
"Racing had two goals disallowed for offside, one in the 77th and another in the 86th, then squandered a golden chance to equalize in a one-on-one situation in second-half stoppage time, with Barcelona goalkeeper Joan García making a last-minute save on a shot by substitute Manex Lozano. "Gladly we have Joan in goal," Torres said. "These teams are well prepared and have players with a lot of quality, that's why it has been so tough [for the first-division teams]." The match was delayed in 15 minutes because of problems with access to the stadium in northern Spain."
Barcelona advanced to the Copa del Rey quarterfinals by defeating second-division leader Racing Santander 2-0. Ferran Torres scored on a 66th-minute breakaway after receiving a pass from Fermín López, and Lamine Yamal added a late goal in added time. Racing had two goals disallowed for offside and missed a late one-on-one equalizer when goalkeeper Joan García made a stoppage-time save. The match start was delayed 15 minutes due to access problems to the stadium in northern Spain. Coach Hansi Flick rested Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Pedri; all three entered as second-half substitutes. Racing players formed a guard of honor before kickoff.
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