Thanks to two goals scored by the Williams brothers at the end of each half of extra time, Athletic Bilbao crushed Barcelona (4-2) and advanced to the semi-finals of the Spanish Cup – Lamine Yamal was kind and… deadly for Barcelona.
After saying goodbye to Real Madrid and Barcelona early Spanish Cup. That's why the amazing cared Athletic Bilbao to Ernesto ValverdeWho was superior, deservedly won 4-2 in extra time and qualified for the semi-finals at the expense of the Blaugrana, as happened two years ago.
Combination of mains and replacements by Valverdewhich began at the top of the attack on Gurkha Guruthitaalthough Prisoner of Villalibre He shared (and shares) the title of top scorer in the cup with him Taso Dovikas (Six goals each).
The best possible eleven were lined up Xaviby Gilles Codet In the right-back role to mark him Nico Williams He is 16 years old Lamin Yamal To frame Robert Lewandowski And Ferran Torres In the attacking trio.
1-0 in 36 seconds!
Athletic fans in San Mames did not sit well in their seats and had to get up to celebrate the 1-0 score in the 36th minute… the second! In the first half in the Blaugrana frame, the defense failed to clear the ball GuruthitaFrom the top of the penalty kick, the scoring opens for the Lions.
They have made a habit of breaking goal-scoring records on their account this year, and this was the fastest goal Barcelona had conceded in a cup in forty years (!) Mariannen Oviedo needed twenty seconds to score at Camp Nou.
His ninth goal Guruthita This season, he has given wings to the hosts, who have continued to arrive with claims past Inaki Peña, with the visitors struggling to pass the ball due to their stifling pressure.
Barcelona, which was unable to penetrate Athletic's defence, left with a muscle injury midway through the first half. Alejandro BaldeWith the young man Hector Fort To take his place on the left side of the defence.
It turned over in six minutes
His team Xavi She didn't seem able to threaten his hearth Yuleen Agirithambala However, thanks to the individual quality of his players, he was able to go up and down within six minutes (26' – 32').
Excellent deep ball from him Pedri to Ferran Torreswhich is cut off Aitor Paredesthe ball reaches Yuri Berchetsin the prosecution that Robert Lewandowski He got his foot down very cleverly and scored the match-tying goal almost out of nowhere.
Six minutes later Yamalwho seemed destined to end an era, took possession of the ball from the left side, raced towards the opponent's goal, and, unmarked, hit a very impressive shot from outside the penalty area, completing the surprise.
At the age of 16 years and 195 days, he became Barcelona's youngest ever goalscorer in the competition, surpassing… Bojan Krkic (17 years and 77 days against Alcoyano in 2007), but he is also the youngest overall in 27 years, since he scored… Someone Samuel Eto'o, for Leganés in 1997, at the age of 16 years and 184 days. His absolute record Pedro Penawho scored for Sporting Gijon against Cultural Leonesa in 1926 at the age of 15 years and 136 days (!), may never break.
2-2, madness and overtime
Bilbao tried to respond before the break and almost succeeded with a header Oyan Santhet Which was very difficult Povertywho couldn't do anything in the 49th minute, when he came back again o Sunthet He had a great header to level the score at 2-2 after a brilliant assist Nico Williams.
Athletic's quick goal added tremendous beauty to an already exciting match, as the hosts equalized the score with a double chance from… Unai Gomet And Guruthitaby Valverde To bring him into the match Inaki WilliamsComing from Ivory Coast after its early siege Ghana In the African Cup of Nations.
the YamalWho had put his team ahead with his stunning goal (temporarily), missed two great chances, the second of which went past the goalkeeper on the way out and placed just wide of an empty net.
Despite the pizza chances, Athletic was superior in the second half, searching for the third goal to qualify with more confidence and opportunities on the part of the team. Nico And Sunthetbut it had no effect.
Williams Brothers Act!
the Valverde Put it down Villalibre In the last twenty minutes they are Oscar De Marcos – Ander Herrera For an additional half hour, with Xavi To surprise by removing (scorer) Lewandowski To put it in place Joao Felix.
In extra time, Bilbao chased him more, and missed an opportunity with him Nico He was able to take the lead in the first minute of stoppage time in the first half Inaki Williamswho continued his good form against Barcelona, scored from close range with a double effort after his first shot was blocked by the post.
Their older brother WilliamsDespite the long journey he took and the fact that he played only 48 hours ago, he managed to make the difference again, scoring in the same minute (105'+1') that Iker MuniainTwo years and four days ago, Barça threw the cup on the canvas at the same stage!
the Xavi He threw him into the match Mark Guyot And not the one that was so hyped Vitor Roqueas he gave a good opportunity to 3-3 before their little one Williamsthe Nicoto cap off an impressive performance with a brilliant goal late in extra time, from outside the height of the penalty area.
“San Mames” held a party and is still dreaming of the first Athletics Cup after forty years (!), while Barca bid farewell to the second title in the first month of 2024, both with four goals.
Athletic Bilbao (Ernesto Valverde): Agirithambala – Lekio (90' De Marcos), Vivian, Paredes, Perces – Prados (90' Herrera), Mikel Visga (46' Unai Gomet – 105' Haurigithar) – Ando Ares (59' Inaki Williams), Santhi, Neco Williams. Gorotheta (73' Villalibre).
Barcelona (Xavi): Iñaki Peña – Kyote, Araujo, Christensen (70' Copperce), Balde (23' Hector Forte) – Guidogan, De Jong, Pedri (99' Sergi Roberto) – Yamal (106' Mark Goyo), Lewandowski (78' Joao Felix) . ), Ferran Torres.
Spanish Cup – quarter-finals
Tuesday (01/23)
Celta – Real Sociedad 1-2
(90'+2' De La Torre – 2' Oerthambal, 66' Becker)
Wednesday (01/24)
Mallorca – Girona 3-2
(21' Larin, 28', 35' penalty. Prats – 68' penalty. Stuani, 90'+6' Savinho)
Athletic Bilbao – Barcelona 4-2
(1' Guruthita, 49' Santhet, 105'+1' Inaki Williams, 120'+1' Nico Williams – 26' Lewandowski, 32' Yamal)
Thursday (01/25)
Atletico Madrid – Seville (22:00)
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