Recreativo 1 - 0 Villarreal
Recre narrowly prevailed in what was an eminently dull encounter in Huelva, but one that the home fans will nonetheless be happy with.
Just two minutes had gone when Martin Caceres headed home what transpired to be the winning goal, further denting the confidence of a visiting side whose form is fast deserting them.
That was enough to seal the win in what was a poor match - Victor Munoz and his men will hope for a similarly leisurely evening in the return match at the Mestalla.
Manuel Pellegrini's side, meanwhile, have been off the boil for too long, and must turn it around quickly.
Real Zaragoza 1 - 1 Racing Santander
Racing came from behind to grab a draw against ten-man Zaragoza, whose last chance of silverware this season now hangs perilously in the balance.
Things finally seemed to be looking up for the embattled blanquillos after Ricardo Oliveira floated home a free-kick 21 minutes in, and the home fans had cause to relax.
However, nothing is simple at the Romareda this season, and thus it proved when a Cantabrian side imbued by the energy of substitutes began to press forward.
This culminated in Sergio giving away a penalty and picking up a red card 15 minutes from time: Ezequiel Garay gratefully converted the spot-kick to take a vital away goal back to Santander.
Zaragoza seemed set to grab the winner when Oliveira was put clean through on goal ten minutes from the end, but the Brazilian failed to finish as visiting 'keeper Coltorti collapsed due to an apparent injury.
Luis Fernandez then picked up a red card for the visitors right at the death, but the restoration of parity came too late for Zaragoza to make an impact.
In any case, Victor Fernandez's side now need to score on the north coast.
Athletic Bilbao 1 - 1 Espanyol
Espanyol go into the second leg with a narrow advantage after Athletic failed to press their advantage at San Mames.
Athletic were the better side for the bulk of the game, but failed to really show it as a somewhat out-of-sorts perequito outfit still found the hosts easy enough to contain.
Indeed, Inaki Munoz's long range-effort was the closest Athletic came to scoring in the first period, although Fran Yeste should have done infinitely better when put clean through - he could only fluff his effort, much to former Lions' goalie Lafuente's relief.
Espanyol punished the hosts' profligacy in the second period with an opener from fringe striker Jonathan Soriano, who brought down a long ball nicely to fire past Aranzubia.
It took Markel Susaeta to bring things back to level terms twelve minutes from time after finishing off an intelligent counter-attack, but one feels that coach Joaquin Caparros would have wanted more from his team.
Real Betis 1 - 2 Valencia
Joaquin broke his former club's heart with an incredible double salvo just ten minutes into proceedings at the Ruiz de Lopera.
First, the winger got on the end of a tremendous counter-attacking move orchestrated by David Silva down the left, before adding his second soon afterwards following some good build-up play from Mata.
Betis pulled one back just after the interval when Mariano Pavone capitalised on Mata's poor clearance, and then Javier Arizmendi complicated things further for the visitors by picking up a second booking fifty minutes in.
However, Joaquin came closest to netting once more as the game drew to a close, leaving the verdiblancos with it all to do at the Mestalla.
See our full match report here.
Getafe 3 - 0 Levante
After a shaky start, Getafe emerged as clear first-leg winners over ailing Levante.
The Granota side had the best of the early play, with young Armando passing up a great chance early on after a period of pressure, but the hosts were able to take a fortunate lead into the break.
Juan Angel Albin's free kick sailed unopposed into the net just before the interval to crush the visitors' spirits.
As the game wore on, Levante faded badly, allowing Javier Casquero to finish from close range after a right-wing cross 73 minutes in, and Pablo Hernandez to bundle home a parried effort for a near-unassailable lead.
Despite that poor opening period, Getafe deserved their victory over a Valencian side that is surely now destined for an exit. However, Getafe cannot be overconfident, knowing that they overcame insurmountable Copa odds themselves to slash a 5-2 deficit against Barcelona to win 6-5 on aggregate last season...
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