Real Madrid continued their recent trend of having players sent off, but held off the challenge of Valencia to advance into the semifinals of the Copa Del Rey.
Real Madrid progressed 3-1 on aggregate after playing out a 1-1 draw at the Mestalla to go with the 2-0 victory they achieved at the Bernabeu a week back.
Karim Benzema opened the scoring for Real, before Tino Costa levelled the proceedings early in the second half, in a match which saw Fabio Coentrao and Angel Di Maria see red while Iker Casillas early on had to be taken off due to a freak injury.
A close first half saw Real handed their first blow of the game in the 17th minute when Casillas could not continue after Alvaro Arbeloa inadvertently kicked the hand of the goalkeeper. Antonio Adan came on for the Spanish international and did an admirable job.
"There was a loose ball, Alvaro has gone to clear and he's caught me on the hand," Casillas said. "After the knock I knew something was wrong. I'm in a bit of pain.
"The doctor doesn't want to make any hasty judgements, he's seen something he doesn't like and we'll have to wait to analyse it in greater detail. We are going to perform the relevant tests to see the seriousness of the injury.
"I hope my injury is not serious. The team and the fact that we have qualified for the next round is what is really important.
"Because it's a finger we have to analyse it properly. Let's hope the results are positive but it's the doctor that gives the orders.
"When I tried to close my fist I felt that it hurt. It just the thumb and that the fact that it has nothing to do with the wrist is good. I will try to be fit as soon as possible."
Benzema as good as put the tie to bed on the stroke of halftime, latching onto a pass from Xabi Alonso, before calmly slotting it past the Valencia goalkeeper Guaita.
However, things turned around early in the first half when Coentrao was handed a second yellow card, and with it his marching orders, for a handball in the 51st minute. From the ensuing freekick Costa levelled the scores on the night, making it 3-1 to Real on aggregate.
Valencia still needed three goals to advance, though, and despite piling on the pressure, they just could not break through, with Di Maria also seeing red for an unnecessary challenge on Joao Pereira late on.
Real Madrid will now face the winner between Barcelona and Malaga in the semis.
In the other quarterfinal match, Sevilla advanced with a comfortable 4-0 win over Real Zaragoza, and will face either Atletico Madrid or Real Betis.
