Espanyol sack Manolo González after Copa del Rey exit against Sestao River

Espanyol crashed out of the Copa del Rey in the first round after a 4-3 extra-time defeat to Sestao River, a fourth-tier side, at Las Llanas. Jon Rojo scored the decisive goal in the final minute of extra time, and the club announced the dismissal of coach Manolo González approximately one hour after the match. He is the third head coach sacked by Espanyol this season.

• Sestao River eliminated Espanyol with a Jon Rojo goal in the 120th minute of extra time.
• Manolo González was dismissed one hour after the Copa del Rey defeat.
• Espanyol had two penalties in their favour and led during extra time but could not close out the tie.
• They are the first La Liga team eliminated from this season's Copa del Rey.
• Sestao River play in Segunda Federación, three divisions below Espanyol.

Espanyol exit the Copa against a fourth-tier opponent

Heavy rain and a poor pitch at Las Llanas shaped the tie. Marcos Fernández put Espanyol ahead after six minutes by converting a penalty awarded for a foul on him, but the lead did not translate into control of the game. Sestao River responded with intensity, competed for every ball and found routes towards Dmitrovic's goal. Carrión equalised after receiving from Delgado and getting past Hinojo inside the box.

Espanyol looked uncomfortable on the ball in the mud and less aggressive than their opponents. Ugarte headed Sestao River in front before half-time from a Delgado corner. Laka nearly extended the lead soon after with another header from a set piece that went just wide. The side coached by Manolo González went into the break outplayed by an opponent that did more than simply benefit from the conditions.

Two penalties and an extra-time lead were not enough for Espanyol

Roberto came on after the break and Efremov denied him an equaliser on the goal line. Manolo González turned to Bryan Zaragoza, Moscardo and Bauzá, but Espanyol kept sending crosses into the box without finding a way through. Dmitrovic kept the visitors alive by winning a one-on-one against Bengoetxea when Sestao River threatened a third goal. The equaliser arrived in the 90th minute from another penalty, this time awarded for a foul on Edu Expósito and converted by Roberto.

In extra time, Moscardo fired Espanyol into a 3-2 lead with a shot from the edge of the box. The advantage lasted only two minutes: Laka headed in a free kick from the flank to make it 3-3. Cabrera came close with an overhead kick, but Iru cleared the effort. Just as the tie appeared headed for a penalty shoot-out, Jon Rojo poked in a loose ball on the line and sparked the celebrations at Las Llanas.

Manolo González becomes Espanyol's third sacked coach this season

The defeat at Las Llanas ended Manolo González's time in the Espanyol dugout. The club announced his dismissal about an hour after the match, leaving the team without a manager in a campaign that has already seen two previous coaching changes. Espanyol sit in the La Liga relegation zone and now face the search for a new head coach to turn the season around.

Elche, Rayo Vallecano, Málaga and Villarreal advance in the Copa del Rey

Elche, who came from behind in their tie, Rayo Vallecano, after extra time, Málaga and Villarreal all booked their places in the second round of the Copa del Rey. On Wednesday, Alavés, Levante, Celta, Betis and Valencia enter the competition aiming to avoid the kind of setback Espanyol suffered against Sestao River.