Madrid, which lost last year's Copa final to Barcelona, was eliminated by second-tier team Albacete 3-2 in the debut of coach Álvaro Arbeloa.

Ferran Torres broke the deadlock in Santander on a breakaway in the 66th minute, receiving a pass by Fermín López and going past the goalkeeper before finding the open net. Lamine Yamal sealed the victory in the sixth and final minute of added time on Thursday.

Racing had two goals disallowed for offside, one in the 77th and another in the 86th. It squandered a golden chance to equalise in a one-on-one situation in second-half stoppage time, with Barcelona goalkeeper Joan García making a last-minute save on a shot by substitute Manex Lozano. "Gladly we have Joan in goal," Torres said. "These teams are well prepared and have players with a lot of quality, that's why it has been so tough (for the first-division teams)." The match was delayed in 15 minutes because of problems with access to the stadium in northern Spain.

The Copa final will be played in Sevilla on April 25.