2nd-tier Mirandés ousts Villarreal to reach Copa semifinals

Small second-division club Mirandés pulled off ar upset in Copa del Rey on Wednesday, eliminating Villarreal 4-2 to reach competition's semifinals for second time.

club from Miranda de Ebro, a city of about 35,000 people in rrn Spain, had stunned two or first-division clubs in previous rounds — five-time champion Sevilla in last 16 and Celta Vigo in round of 32.

Mirandés played in Copa semifinals in 2011-12, losing to Athletic Bilbao. It made it to competition's quarterfinals in 2015-16.

club has has never played in Spain's first division. It is in 11th place in 22-team second-tier standings.

Villarreal, seventh in first division, was trying to reach Copa semifinals for first time since 2015, when it lost to eventual champion Barcelona. It hadn't made it to last eight since that season.

Maus Aias opened scoring for Mirandés in 17th minute after getting past a defender outside area and ar inside box. visitors equalized less than 15 minutes later with a well-struck free kick by Javier Ontiveros.

Mirandés retook lead with Martin Merquelanz converting a penalty awarded by video review in first-half stopp time, and Santi Cazorla evened match with ar penalty in 56th.

hosts went ahead again two minutes later. Odei Onaindia, whose handball prompted penalty for Villarreal, scored with a close-range touch after visitors failed to clear a cross by far post.

Antonio Sánchez sealed victory after a breakaway in stopp time.

Mirandés was only lower-division club still alive entering quarterfinals of Copa del Rey.

Granada eliminated defending champion Valencia on Tuesday.

On Thursday, Real Madrid hosts Real Sociedad and Barcelona visits Athletic Bilbao.

Copa is being played in single-elimination games this season, except in semifinals.