Athletic Bilbao Eliminates Barcelona from Copa del Rey Quarterfinals in Stunning Victory

Athletic Bilbao pulled off a remarkable victory in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals by defeating Barcelona 4-2 at home in a thrilling encounter. The match, which went into extra time, saw brothers Inaki and Nico Williams play pivotal roles with their goals for Athletic.

Right from the start, Athletic Bilbao took an early lead through a rebound strike from Inaki in the first minute. However, Barcelona managed to equalize before halftime as Lamine‘s clearance inadvertently deflected off a Barca player and into the net. Shortly after, Barcelona’s Nico Williams showcased his skill by dribbling past several defenders to score a fantastic goal.

In the second half, Athletic fought back and leveled the score at 2-2 with a towering header from Nico’s cross, courtesy of a splendid assist from Xabi. Both teams had opportunities to secure the victory, with Barcelona’s Lamine missing two easy chances. As the game progressed into extra time, Athletic asserted their dominance and capitalized on their superiority. Inaki converted a rebound from his own close-range strike, and Nico secured the win with a superb curling strike.

Inaki Williams expressed his disbelief at the victory, having just returned from the Africa Cup of Nations. He thanked the club and the fans for their support during such a challenging period. With this result, Athletic Bilbao progresses to the semifinals alongside Real Sociedad, Mallorca, and either Atletico Madrid or Getafe.

The loss adds further pressure on Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez, as the team has struggled this season. Currently sitting in third place in LaLiga, Barcelona trails behind Girona and Real Madrid. Despite the defeat, Xavi remained optimistic, emphasizing the importance of focusing on their remaining competitions, including LaLiga and the upcoming Champions League clash against Manchester City.

Athletic Bilbao’s victory at San Mamés brought an end to Barcelona’s journey in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals, leaving them disappointed but still determined to achieve success in other competitions.