Real Madrid's aim for their first domestic and European treble will have to wait another year after a 2-2 draw at Celta Vigo on Wednesday in the Copa del Rey quarter-final second leg match enabled the hosts to advance to the semis on a 4-3 aggregate.
Celta was handed their first goal courtesy of Real defender Danilo who turned the ball into his own net just before half-time, but Christiano Ronaldo equalized with a free-kick. It was his first goal in the competition in two years, according to AFP.
Daniel Wass scored another for Celta towards the end of full-time and a header by Lucas Vazquez in stoppage time could only prevent a third defeat for Real in four matches.
Zinedine Zidane, in his second season as Real's manager, has had to cope with injuries and was without several key players including Marcelo, Luka Modric, James Rodriguez and Gareth Bale. Having to play a makeshift side in a crucial game, the former Galacticos was clearly disappointed with the result but praised his charges for their efforts.
"After playing how we did I have little to reproach my players for," Zidane was quoted by Reuters in his post-match interview.
Celta will join Real's local rival Athletico Madrid in the last four, along with Alaves. The final semis spot will be determined on Thursday when current Cup holders Barcelona meets Real Sociedad for their second leg game. The Catalan giant leads with a 1-0 lead on aggregate.
In the La Liga, Real is at the top of the table with 43 points and played one game less from second-placed Sevilla, who managed to put a stop to the Madrid club's record winning streak of 40 games in all competitions. The reigning European champions have 12 more games before the Spanish football season ends in April.
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