Late penalty sends Celta Vigo into last eight of King's Cup

Late penalty sends Celta Vigo into last eight of King's Cup

MADRID, Jan. 12 - A controversial injury time penalty scored by Celta Vigo midfielder Roberto Trashorras gave his side a place in the last eight of the King's Cup after the second division team cruised past Villarreal on Tuesday.

Celta Vigo's players celebrate their victory over Villarreal after their Spanish King's Cup soccer match at the Madrigal Stadium in Villarreal January 12, 2010.

The penalty was given by referee Fernandez Borbalan for a challenge by Villarreal defender Angel on Celta's Pedro Botelhlo, although television replays showed there to be little if no contract.

The win means Celta will play the side that wins the tie between Recreativo Huelva and Atletico Madird.

Following a 1-1 draw in last week's game in Vigo, Villarreal coach Ernesto Valverde showed how seriously he was taking the competition by fielding virtually his strongest possible side with Joseba Llorente leading the attack.

The home side was looking to control the ball, but Celta, looked dangerous and striker Jonathan Aspes was a constant threat for the Villarreal defense.

Villarreal's Joseba Llorente (L) and Celta Vigo's Oriol Riera fight for the ball during their Spanish King's Cup soccer match at the Madrigal Stadium in Villarreal January 12, 2010.

Villarreal struggled to create anything in attack and the 5,000fans in the El Madrigal Stadium became increasingly frustrated.

Cani and David Fuster had chances after 35 minutes. Cani shot from distance to force Celta keeper Joel into a save, while a Fuster header was taken perfectly by the visiting keeper.

The second half saw Villarreal waste several other good chances and although Diego Lopez was forced into action by Aspes shortly after the break, the visitors looked to be on their way out of the competition.

That was until Borbalan decided that Angel's late challenge was worthy of a penalty.

Villarreal's Joan Capdevila (front) controls the ball past Celta Vigo's Dani Abalo fight during their Spanish King's Cup soccer match at the Madrigal Stadium in Villarreal January 12, 2010.



Villarreal's Robert Pires reacts during their Spanish King's Cup soccer match against Celta Vigo at the Madrigal Stadium in Villarreal January 12, 2010.

Villarreal's Santi Cazorla (L) controls the ball past Celta Vigo's Vasco fernandes (C) and Dani Abalo during their Spanish King's Cup soccer match at the Madrigal Stadium in Villarreal January 12, 2010.

Villarreal's Joseba Llorente (L) and Celta Vigo's Francisco Noguerol fight for the ball during their Spanish King's Cup soccer match at the Madrigal Stadium in Villarreal January 12, 2010.
(Reuters)