Valencia vs. Real Madrid: Final score 1-1

Madrid advance despite a injury to Casillas and two red cards

espite losing Iker Casillas to an injury and having two players sent off in the second half, Real Madrid were more than up to the task of slowing down Valencia and booking their place in the semifinals of the Copa del Rey. Madrid will now wait for the result of tomorrow's match between Barcelona and Malaga (currently tied 2-2) to learn who they will face in the next round.

Valencia got off to a fast start and earned a free kick from 30-yards out after Xabi Alonso picked up an early yellow for a hard tackle. Tino Costa's curling free kick deflected slightly off Cristiano Ronaldo and over the cross bar.

Madrid responded with two good chances. The first came as Alonso found Ronaldo in the box who smashed a shot on frame that was pushed away by Vicente Guaita. Two minutes later they were back as Álvaro Arbeloa made an overlapping run down the left before sending a cross in to the six yard box that trickled past the far post untouched.

In the 15th minute Arbeola accidentally kicked Iker Casillas' hand or wrist as he attempted to clear the ball from danger. Casillas was down for several minutes as the physio's worked on his wrist and hand. At first it looked like they might tape it up, but after some discussion Casillas shook his head and left the match, replaced by Antonio Adán.

Just when it looked like Valencia would get through the half, Madrid struck and ended the tie. in the 44th minute Madrid took a quick throw-in to Xabi Alonso who sent a quick past right to the feet of Karim Benzema. The striker ran in o the Valencia box and put the ball in the bottom left corner.

The door opened ever so slightly for Valencia in the 51st minute when Fábio Coentrão was show his second yellow card of the match for a deliberate handball, leaving Madrid to finish the match a man down.

Los Che pulled a goal back in the 55th minute when Tino Costa's free kick evaded everyone in the box and past Adán to make it 1-1 on the day.

In the 88th minute, Madrid lost another player. This time it was Ángel Di María who lost his temper and needlessly kicked out at Joao Pereira. The referee showed him a straight red leaving Madrid with nine men for the final couple of minutes of the match. It was too little, too late to help Valencia but it will affect Madrid in the next round with two suspended players.