Ronaldo on target as Madrid reach Copa quarters

Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal, celebrates his goal during their Spanish Copa del Rey round-16 second leg soccer match between Osasuna and Real Madrid at El Sadar stadium, in Pamplona northern Spain on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2014. AP

MADRID — Cristiano Ronaldo celebrated his Ballon d’Or triumph by scoring from one of his trademark free kicks as Real Madrid beat Osasuna 2-0 on Wednesday to reach the Copa del Rey quarterfinals on Wednesday.

Ronaldo smashed a swerving shot from 25 meters around the defensive wall and straight at goalie Andres Fernandez. The keeper tried to punch it out but ended up sending it down off the ground and between his legs into the net.

Ronaldo’s 22nd-minute strike effectively sealed the contest, with Osasuna having lost the first leg 2-0.

Osasuna forced Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas into a number of saves to close the half after having rarely threatened before Ronaldo’s opener.

Angel Di Maria capped a quick counter in the 56th by sweeping home Jese’s cross following a long run from the halfway line, securing a 4-0 aggregate victory at El Sadar Stadium.

“The team looks better with every game,” Jese said.

Madrid defender Fabio Coentrao was shown a second yellow card in the 85th and Madrid finished with nine players after substitute Alvaro Morata came off minutes later with his left eye swollen shut following a collision earlier on.

Ronaldo’s 30th goal in all competitions this season — and 37th when counting those scored for Portugal — further justified the forward’s pick as world player of the year ahead of Lionel Messi and Franck Ribery.

Ronaldo made way for Gareth Bale in the second half but the world’s most expensive player made little impact.

Madrid will next play Espanyol, which eliminated second-tier Alcorcon 4-3 following a 4-2 home win on the night.

Portuguese forward Pizzi curled home an 86th goal to ensure Espanyol’s progress at the expense of Alcorcon, which famously knocked Madrid out of the competition in 2009.

A rematch with Madrid had looked on the cards after Alcorcon midfielder Javier Peral made it 2-2 in the 80th minute, with his side holding a 1-0 lead from the home leg.

Victor Alvarez put Espanyol 3-2 ahead minutes later but the second division side was still through thanks to the away-goals rule — until Pizzi’s curler from the left side.

Also, Mikel Rico scored two goals to send Athletic Bilbao into the last eight with a 2-0 victory against last-place Real Betis.

Bilbao, trailing 1-0 after the first leg in Seville, leveled the contest on aggregate in the 23rd minute when Rico produced a magnificent touch to gather Ander Iraiola’s lofted pass into the area on the run and score with a left-footed shot.

Athletic, a 22-time winner of the cup, secured its passage at its San Mames Stadium in the 67th minute when a poor clearance rolled to Rico and his angled shot secured a 2-1 victory over two legs.

The Basque club will play defending champion Atletico Madrid next.

Levante beat Rayo Vallecano 1-0 thanks to David Barral’s first-half goal to advance by the same scoreline. Levante is most likely to play Barcelona, which leads Getafe 4-0 before Thursday’s return leg.

Real Sociedad is at Villarreal on Thursday after a scoreless first leg with the winner going on to play third-tier Racing Santander next week.