Athletic Bilbao Ends Barcelona's Copa del Rey Journey with Quarter-Final Victory

Athletic Bilbao Ends Barcelona's Copa del Rey Journey with Quarter-Final Victory
By: Gordon from statstriker.com

Athletic Bilbao eliminates Barcelona from the Copa del Rey with a 4-2 quarter-final victory at San Mames.

Inaki Williams, who had just returned to Bilbao from the Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday, played a pivotal role in inspiring the hosts to triumph in extra time.

Gorka Guruzeta provided the hosts with an early lead, but Barcelona turned the game around before halftime as Robert Lewandowski equalized, and Lamine Yamal scored to make it 2-1.

Oihan Sancet leveled the score before Inaki Williams and his brother Nico secured the victory for Athletic Bilbao.

Inaki Williams, who had been part of the Ghana squad eliminated from the Africa Cup of Nations on Monday, arrived in Bilbao on the day of the match after a journey from Ivory Coast to Paris and then a flight to Bilbao.

Despite Barcelona's dominance in possession, Athletic Bilbao proved more threatening, registering 27 shots on goal. In the final minutes, 16-year-old Yamal, the competition's youngest scorer, had the opportunity to put Barcelona into the semi-finals but missed an open goal after rounding goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala.

With this defeat, both Barcelona and Real Madrid, who have collectively won 10 of the past 15 Copa del Rey titles, are now out of the competition.