India, Dec. 19 -- Villarreal was eliminated by second-division club Racing Santander in the round of 32 of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday, while Atletico Madrid earned a hard-fought win over fourth-tier team Atletico Baleares. Villarreal, sitting third in the Spanish league and enjoying one of its best campaigns in years, lost 2-1 to Racing after conceding twice in the first half. Ayoze Perez scored in the 86th but Villarreal couldn't complete the comeback. Juan Carlos Arana netted both goals for the hosts.

It was the second straight defeat for Villarreal in all competitions - it was coming off a 3-2 home loss to Copenhagen in the league phase of the Champions League. In the Spanish league, Villarreal has won six matches in a row. Antoine...