Javier Morilla goal secures Espanyol passage

A second-half goal from Jairo Morilla has secured Espanyol a 3-0 aggregate triumph over Alaves in the Copa del Rey.

After a quiet opening, Espanyol's Carlos Clerc had a header comfortably saved before Hector Moreno nodded wide after a good delivery from Manuel Lanzarote.

Alaves needed to find a response, and they almost found one through Manu Barreiro, but despite beating goalkeeper Pau Lopez, his long-range attempt drifted just past the post.

Moments later, Barreiro was in the action again but Lopez was equal to his header that appeared on its way to nestling in the bottom corner.

The start of the second half saw little action inside either penalty area but with 25 minutes remaining, Espanyol wrapped up the tie thanks to Morilla, who got ahead of his marker to head in a cross from Paco Montanes.

Barreiro came close to an immediate equaliser when he was found inside the penalty area but after his header was saved by Lopez, Espanyol were able to relax with a three-goal cushion in their possession.

With just over 10 minutes left Moreno had a shot that was well saved, but one goal proved enough for the La Liga outfit to book their spot in the next round.