Player proposes to girlfriend after losing to Barcelona

BARBASTRO, Spain:

A player from Spain fourth-division club Barbastro lost and won on Saturday.

After losing to Barcelona 4-0 in the Copa del Rey, Israel Garcia dropped to one knee on the field and asked his girlfriend Pilar to marry him.

She looked surprised and covered her face with her hands while smiling, then said, "Yes," to cheers from spectators behind the couple.

They later posed for photos, with Pilar showing her hand with the ring she was given by Garcia.

"It was the appropriate day," Garcia told Spanish media.

The midfielder played the whole round-of-32 match against Barcelona.

CELTA ADVANCE

Meanwhile, Alfonso Gonzalez scored twice, including a stoppage-time winner, as Celta Vigo beat 10-man Racing Santander 3-2 to advance to the last 16 yesterday.

Celta were also helped by a late own-goal from Javier Castro.

Alvaro Mantilla was sent off in the first half for second-division Racing.

Celta next face Real Betis.

Real Sociedad beat Ponferradina 2-0 with goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Brais Mendez and next face Getafe.

Also, Leganes won 2-1 at Cartagena; Ourense beat Valladolid 3-2; and Elche defeated Las Palmas 4-0.

Real Madrid visit Deportiva Minera today.

- AP