Barcelona‘s sad 4-2 loss to Athletic Bilbao in the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey at San Mamés on Wednesday night has eliminated them from the competition.
Gorka Guruzeta gave Bilbao the lead in the first minute, but Robert Lewandowski’s equalizer and Lamine Yamal’s goal made it 2-1 for Barca just after the half. Oihan Sancet gave Bilbao an equalizer in the 49th minute. In Extra-time, we saw a goal from Inaki Williams, and brother Nico Williams sealed the win for Athletic at the end.
Despite Xavi’s Barcelona having more possession than Athletic Bilbao, Bilbao appeared to be the more threatening team and had 27 shots on goal. After this loss, Real Madrid and Barcelona, who had combined to win 10 of the previous 15 Copa del Rey titles, are eliminated from the competition.
Halftime Highlights: Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao
In just 35 seconds, Barcelona was behind Athletic. It was their fourth consecutive game in which they had let up a goal in the first two minutes, and their ninth in which they had trailed 1-0 after 20 minutes. In the fourth minute, Guruzeta’s attempt to make it 2-0 over the top after Adu crossed the ball could have made things worse for Barcelona. Moments later, things did become worse as Alejandro Balde had to be helped off in tears after suffering a hamstring injury. The seventeen-year-old Hector Font entered.
After 26 minutes, Barcelona was losing ground, but they managed to rise again when Ferran Torres entered from the left and found Pedri. Yuri’s clearing hit Robert Lewandowski as Athletic attempted to wriggle the ball away, and it passed Julen Agirrezabala for a 1-1 score.
The genius followed the good fortune. Even though Yamal won’t turn 17 until July of next year, he made a cut to the right, sprinted across the Athletic area with the ball, and used his left foot to fire an unstoppable shot into the far corner in 32nd minute. By halftime, Barcelona’s forward play had become just as impressive as their defense had appeared disorganized.
Second Half Highlights: Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao
Even worse than in the first half, Barcelona start to the second half continued. Sancet unmarkedly headed in Nico Williams’ exquisite cross to tie Athletic for the 49th minute of the second half. Following that, Oihan Sancet’s header made it 2-2 and guaranteed that the match would go into extratime.
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Joao Felix had substituted Lewandowski as game goes towards end of second half. The Polish forward has been substituted off for the third time in a row. The game proceeded into extra time since the change was unable to secure a victory for Barcelona.
Extra Time Highlights: Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao
In the initial 30 minutes of the extension, Athletic appeared more powerful. Athletic converted their dominance into goals in extra time. Two minutes into extra time before halftime, Inaki Williams scored on a rebound of his own close-range effort that deflected off the post. Nico Williams then wrapped up the victory with a beautiful curling strike into the top corner in the final action of the match.