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Cassano strikes as holders beaten

MADRID, Spain -- Striker Antonio Cassano scored on his debut for Real Madrid to beat defending champion Real Betis 1-0 in a Copa del Rey first-leg quarterfinal on Wednesday.

Cassano, who joined Madrid from AS Roma this month, slid the ball into an empty net from close range just three minutes after appearing as a 62nd-minute substitute.

Madrid's victory boosted its chances of winning Spain's knockout trophy for the first time since 1993.

Italian Cassano's goal at Betis' Manuel Ruiz de Lopera stadium was protested by the home team, which argued the player was initially offside and impeded keeper Toni Doblas.

In another game, Espanyol downed Cadiz 2-0 courtesy of second-half goals by new signing Walter Pandiani and midfielder Fredson Camara.

On Thursday, Deportivo La Coruna hosts Valencia.

The return matches will be next week.

Also on Wednesday in a rescheduled fifth-round second-leg game, Zaragoza drew Atletico Madrid 2-2 to reach the quarterfinals on a 3-2 aggregate.

Zaragoza will play Primera Liga leaders Barcelona, with the first leg to be played next week.

Madrid's victory boosted its chances of winning Spain's knockout trophy for the first time since 1993.

The visitor, without many of its top players including Ronaldo, Raul and Zinedine Zidane, was forced to bring on its first-choice keeper Iker Casillas in the 21st minute after Diego Lopez appeared to injure his shoulder in a fall.

In an abrasive but balanced first half, Madrid forward Julio Baptista had a headed goal disallowed in the 44th for a foul on Doblas even though TV replays suggested the goal should have stood.

Squandered chance

Betis spurned its clearest chance in the 51st when right winger Joaquin Sanchez miscued with the goal at his mercy.

Eleven minutes later, Madrid midfielder Cicinho headed Jesus "Capi" Capitan's nodded effort off the goal line.

Three-time winner Espanyol also took a step toward the semifinals with a victory at Cadiz's Ramon de Carranza stadium.

Uruguayan Pandiani, who arrived last week from Birmingham City, struck on his debut when he turned home a low cross from the right by Juanfran Torres in the 51st.

Brazilian Camara produced an individual effort for Espanyol's second goal in the 89th, controlling the ball on the edge of the area and sending a fierce shot home.

At Zaragoza's La Romareda stadium, the home team extended its 1-0 lead from the first leg with two early goals but was still given a scare by Atletico.

Ruben "Cani" Gracia netted in the 10th after his initial shot was parried by Atletico goalkeeper Ismael Falcon, while Oscar Gonzalez added the second from a Cani pass in the 27th.

Atletico, which has won the trophy nine times but not since 1996, battled in vain with goals from Mateja Kezman in the 33rd and former Zaragoza player, Luciano Galletti, in the 62nd.

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