Sestao River and Escobedo advance in the Copa, leaving Athletic Bilbao and Sevilla behind
The Copa del Rey 2019–20 tournament introduced a revamped format that aimed to increase the likelihood of "minnow versus giant" matchups, also known as "cup miracles" or "David vs. Goliath" fixtures. These pairings, particularly those with a difference of three or more divisions between clubs, are common in the second round of the competition.
Historically, such pairings occur when a team from the fourth tier of Spanish football (Tercera División) faces a LaLiga side (first division), bypassing teams from the second and third tiers (Segunda División and Primera Federación).
### Background
The Copa del Rey draw mechanics prior to the 2023–24 season organised the tournament regionally, with lower-division teams (Segunda B and Tercera División) facing off against top-flight sides in the second round.
A gap of three divisions means that a team from the fourth tier of Spanish football faces a team from the first tier (LaLiga), with no teams from the second or third tiers in between—this scenario is the maximum possible league difference in Spanish football cup matches.
### Full List of 2019–20 Second Round Matches with Three-Division Differences
**Note:** The specific 2019–20 Copa del Rey fixture list is not currently available in search results. However, the mechanism and context are accurate based on the format and typical team movements in Spanish football.
#### Typical Examples
In the second round of the 2019–20 Copa del Rey, the following types of matches occurred as a result of the "open draw" system:
- **LaLiga team** vs. **Tercera División team** (fourth tier) - **LaLiga team** vs. **Segunda B team** (third tier), but these are **two-division** differences, not three. - **Segunda División team** vs. **Tercera División team** (two-division difference).
**Genuine three-division differences**—LaLiga vs. Tercera División—are rare outside of the second round draw, due to the structure of the competition.
#### Methodology to Identify These Matches
1. **Identify LaLiga participants** in the 2019–20 Copa del Rey. 2. **Identify Tercera División participants** who reached the second round (usually as winners of preliminary or regional rounds). 3. **Cross-reference the official fixture list** for that season. 4. **Matchups**: Any direct pairing between a LaLiga team and a Tercera División team in the second round is a three-tier difference.
#### Why the Search Results Do Not List the Matches
The available search results focus on the structure of the Segunda División, a recent Copa del Rey format change, and unrelated news—not the specific 2019–20 Copa del Rey fixtures. For an authoritative, detailed list, consult the official Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) archives or reputable sports databases for the 2019–20 season.
### Conclusion
**The search results do not include the full list of Copa del Rey 2019–20 second round matches with three-division differences.** For accuracy, you would need to consult the official 2019–20 tournament bracket or a reputable sports statistics provider for the exact pairings. However, any direct match between a LaLiga club and a Tercera División club in the second round would meet your criteria for a three-division difference. Such matches are highly anticipated and relatively rare, given the tournament’s structure, but they are the hallmark of the Copa del Rey’s romance with the underdog.
The Copa del Rey tournament occasionally features "David vs. Goliath" fixtures, where teams from different divisions face each other. historically, this includes matches between LaLiga clubs and teams from the fourth tier of Spanish football, known as Tercera División, bypassing teams from Segunda División and Primera Federación.
In the Copa del Rey 2019–20, one can expect such three-division difference matches when a LaLiga team faces a Tercera División team in the second round, as the gap of three divisions between them is the maximum possible in Spanish football cup matches.
