01/24/2024 9:16 p.m. Updated on 01/24/2024 9:24 p.m.
Another blow for Barcelona. Xavi’s team was eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey against Athletic Club de Bilbao. After a 2-2 draw in the 90s, everything was decided in the last moments of extra time, with the decisive goals from Iñaki Williams and Nico Williams.
Incredible about Iñaki Williams. On Monday night he was in the elimination of Ghana (they tied with Mozambique) in the framework of the Africa Cup that was played in Ivory Coast. He traveled for several hours to Spain, joined the squad led by Valverde and ended up being the hero against Barcelona.
The match started explosively, with Gorka Guruzeta putting Athletic ahead in the first minute of the match. However, Barcelona did not take long to react and managed to turn the game around with goals from Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal. It seemed that Xavi’s team would take control, but Oihan Sancet equalized for Athletic and sent the match to extra time.
It was in extra time where the Williams brothers became Athletic’s heroes. Iñaki Williams, fresh from the African Cup, put the Basque team ahead. While Nico, in added time, sealed their place in the semifinals.
Barcelona, for its part, tried to react, but was unable to turn the match around. Despite Lamine Yamal’s attempts and some clear opportunities, the Barça team was overwhelmed.
In another Copa del Rey match, Mallorca also managed to advance to the semifinals by beating Girona 3-2. Now, both Athletic Bilbao and Mallorca await the draw for the semifinals.