Real Oviedo Stuns Sevilla In Copa Del Rey Upset
Real Oviedo Stuns Sevilla In Copa Del Rey Upset...
Third-division Real Oviedo pulled off a shocking 2-1 victory over La Liga powerhouse Sevilla in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals on Sunday. The historic upset has gone viral in the U.S. as American fans celebrate the underdog triumph ahead of next week's Concacaf Champions Cup matches.
The match, played at Oviedo's Estadio Carlos Tartiere, saw the minnows take a 2-0 lead before halftime through goals from Borja Sánchez and Alemão. Sevilla's Lucas Ocampos scored a late consolation, but the Andalusian giants couldn't complete the comeback.
American soccer fans are closely following Spanish football this week with several U.S. national team players competing in La Liga. The upset comes days before Sevilla faces MLS side Inter Miami in a high-profile friendly on April 9 at Soldier Field in Chicago.
Social media erupted with reactions to the upset, with many U.S. fans drawing parallels to March Madness basketball upsets. The match trended on Twitter as American viewers tuned in via ESPN+, which holds U.S. broadcasting rights for the Copa del Rey.
Sevilla manager Quique Sánchez Flores called the loss "unacceptable" in his post-match press conference. The defeat marks another low point in Sevilla's disappointing season, with the club currently sitting 12th in La Liga.
Real Oviedo, founded in 1926, now advances to the Copa del Rey semifinals for the first time since 2002. The Asturian club's Cinderella run has captured global attention, particularly among American supporters who enjoy rooting for underdogs in international competitions.
The upset comes at a time when U.S. interest in Spanish football is peaking. Barcelona's recent visit to America for preseason matches and the growing number of Americans playing in La Liga have increased stateside viewership of Spanish competitions.
Spanish football analyst Graham Hunter noted on ESPN FC: "This is exactly why the Copa del Rey matters - it keeps the magic of cup football alive. American fans understand that drama better than anyone."
Real Oviedo will learn their semifinal opponent when the draw is held Monday morning. The semifinal first leg is scheduled for April 22, with the return leg set for May 13.
