U19 Spanish Youth Cup: Quarterfinals Delivered Drama and Surprises

As someone who’s spent 12 years crunching sports data for ESPN and Boston sports radio, let me tell you – these U19 matches had more twists than my Python scripts during playoff predictions.

Real Betis 2-2 (5-3 pens) Las Palmas: The Header Show

The Verdiblancos’ academy clearly teaches crossing drills before breakfast. Two textbook headers from Mariana (75’, 83’) canceled out Las Palmas’ comeback attempt through Sergio Ruiz. Stat to watch: Betis completed just 42% of crosses overall – that won’t cut it against semifinal opponents.

Deportivo La Coruña 2-1 (8-1 agg): A Tactical Masterclass

Watching Depor’s backline play out under pressure was like observing a well-oiled algorithm. Their 89% pass accuracy in defensive third neutralized Tenerife completely. Rubén Fernández (linked with Madrid) now has 7 goals in 4 games – buy stock now.

Real Madrid 4-2 (5-3 agg): Defensive Concerns Remain

Three takeaways from Valdebebas:

1. Pitarji’s opener showed why Moroccan scouts are buzzing
2. Yáñez’s brace masked Madrid’s xGA of 1.8 per game
3. That right-back position? Let’s just say it needs debugging

Barcelona 3-3 (5-5 agg, 3-4 pens): Valencia’s Miracle

Barca led 3-0 by halftime. Then came Valencia’s 5-minute blitz (68’-73’) featuring:

• Two defensive errors (87th percentile bad) Use this shot map to see how Valencia overloaded the left channel where Barça’s U19s conceded 62% of goals this season.

The semis will test these teams’ mental resilience – especially with transfer rumors swirling. My model gives Depor 38% title probability…but as a Celtics fan, I know analytics never account for teenage hormones.