FC Copenhagen on Saturday evening preserved their hopes of retaining the Danish Cup trophy when they cruised to a 2-0 win at home against Esbjerg in the second leg of their quarter-final clash.
The home side had already won the first leg 4-2, and so Esbjerg chased a Christmas miracle in the Parken stadium, but they never came close to staging what would have been a sensational comeback.
Earlier on Saturday, Viborg secured a place in the semi-finals despite losing 1-0 at Vejle. On Sunday, the last two tickets will be distributed between FC Nordsjaelland and FC Midtjylland, as well as AGF and OB.
FC Copenhagen's opponent in the two semi-finals in March will be found when the last quarter-final between Nordsjaelland and Midtjylland is completed on Sunday evening.
The visitors did come close, catching the hosts off guard at the beginning of the match when John Kolawole searched into the box, but his finish lacked accuracy and missed the target.
Mads Emil Madsen then had a chance to put the home side in front, but couldn't keep his header on target.
But after 20 minutes, the hosts brought the Parken faithful to their feet when Esbjerg goalkeeper Robby McCrories couldn't keep out a header from Gabriel Pereira, even though he managed to hit the ball with his arm.
Despite the early setback, Esbjerg fashioned several chances to restore parity at the other end of the pitch, but they lacked coolness in the decisive moments.
After 67 minutes, young Icelandic FC Copenhagen striker Viktor Dadason finally extinguished Esbjerg's hopes when he delicately controlled a pass from Mads Emil Madsen to fire home.
Ten minutes before the end, Lukas Lerager was substituted in his final match for FC Copenhagen to standing ovations from the crowd, staff, and players on the pitch.
