Three of West Ham United's loanees saw midweek action for their temporary clubs at home and abroad.
Reaching the Copa del Rey semi-finals for the second consecutive season, Nayef Aguerd’s Real Sociedad, winners in 2020, came agonisingly close to overturning a 1-0 first-leg deficit against 20-time champions Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Ander Barrenetxea’s 16th-minute strike levelled the tie early on, but Aguerd’s involvement was unfortunately cut short just ten minutes later due to a calf muscle injury. From the sidelines, Aguerd watched on as his teammates put up an incredibly brave fight.
Endrick restored Madrid’s advantage before the break, setting up a frenetic final 20 minutes of normal time. Sociedad took the lead in the tie courtesy of a David Alaba own-goal and a deflected effort from Mikel Oyarzábal, only for Jude Bellingham and Aurélien Tchouaméni to respond with quick-fire strikes that put Madrid back in control.
Oyarzábal’s point-blank header forced extra time in the final minute, but Los Blancos had the final say as Arda Güler’s corner was headed home by Antonio Rüdiger, to make it 4-4 on the night and 5-4 on aggregate, sending Madrid to their 41st Copa del Rey final where they will face either FC Barcelona or Atlético de Madrid.
Back on home soil, in EFL League One, Gideon Kodua’s Wycombe Wanderers, chasing just their second season in the Championship, missed the chance to close the gap on second-placed Wrexham, who themselves were held to a 2-2 draw by relegation-threatened Cambridge United. The Chairboys dominated bottom-of-the-table Shrewsbury Town but were held to a frustrating goalless draw, despite taking 33 shots and forcing seven saves from goalkeeper Jamal Blackman. Wycombe’s promotion fate remains in their hands, with a game in hand and a superior goal difference over Wrexham.
Also in League One, Huddersfield Town’s top scorer Callum Marshall made his eleventh consecutive league start, his longest run in the starting line-up. Looking to secure the last play-off spot, the Terriers were unable to capitalise on Reading’s first defeat in eleven games at Blackpool, as they fell to a 1-0 defeat at Lincoln City. With both Huddersfield and Reading failing to put points on the board, Bolton Wanderers’ last-minute winner at Wigan Athletic means they now occupy the final play-off spot, two points clear of Marshall’s Huddersfield.
Despite taking the lead twice, Patrick Kelly’s Doncaster Rovers were held to a 2-2 draw at home to League Two leaders Walsall. The Northern Ireland U21s international was an unused substitute as Luke Molyneux and Billy Sharp’s goals were cancelled out by Taylor Allen and a last-minute equaliser from Danny Johnson.
