Last year’s surprise package Girona were shocked by fourth-division side Logroñés on Wednesday as they were knocked out 4-3 on penalties from the Copa del Rey in the second round of the competition thanks to an unlikely hero for the lowly hosts.
That was Pol Arnau, a 19-year-old left-back who had to step up and play as a stand-in goalkeeper after starter Kike Royo sustained an injury in extra-time when Logroñés manager Sergio Rodriguez had already used all the substitutions allowed.
Arnau, who is the son of the late Barcelona and Málaga goalkeeper Francesc Arnau and brother of fifth-division Mollerussa keeper Marc Arnau, showed he is no stranger to the task and made several saves to withstand Girona’s pressure and take the match to a penalties shootout following a goalless draw.
Then, Arnau once again flashed and saved a spot-kick from Girona star striker Abel Ruiz, with Cristhian Stuani hitting the crossbar later to seal the home side’s stunning victory.
After Espanyol was knocked out 2-0 by lowly Barbastro on Tuesday, Girona were not the only LaLiga side to also kiss goodbye early to the Spanish Cup as Villarreal were stunned by fourth-division’s Pontevedra 1-0 thanks to a last-gasp goal by Dalisson de Almeida.
Valladolid needed to go to extra-time to beat Real Avila 4-2 and advance, while Leganes beat fourth-division Estepona 3-2 on penalties after a 2-2 draw.
Valencia, Betis, Celta Vigo, Las Palmas and Rayo Vallecano all advanced with easy wins.
Atletico Madrid will face Cacereno on Thursday while Real Madrid and Barcelona will only debut in the next round of the competition.
