Athletic Bilbao’s Copa del Rey Dreams Shattered by Osasuna in Thrilling 3-2 Defeat
In a dramatic night at San Mamés, defending Copa del Rey champions Athletic Bilbao saw their title defense come to an abrupt end, falling 3-2 to a resilient Osasuna side in the round of 16. The match, filled with twists and turns, showcased the highs and lows of knockout football, leaving fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.Osasuna struck first in the 40th minute through Aymar Oroz, who capitalized on a defensive lapse to put the visitors ahead. Just four minutes later, Croatian striker Ante Budimir doubled the led with a clinical penalty after Athletic goalkeeper Julen Aguirrezabala was adjudged to have fouled an Osasuna attacker. The Basques, however, refused to go down without a fight. In added time of the first half, Nico Williams pulled one back with a composed finish following a precise pass from Gorka Guruzeta.
The second half began with athletic Bilbao showing renewed vigor. Oscar de Marcos, a veteran of the team, leveled the scoreline with a thunderous mid-range strike, sending the home crowd into raptures. the momentum seemed to be shifting in favor of the hosts, but Osasuna had other plans. In the 70th minute, Budimir struck again, pouncing on a loose ball in the box to restore Osasuna’s lead and ultimately seal the victory.
This defeat marks a bitter end to Athletic Bilbao’s campaign, as they were unable to replicate last season’s triumph. For Osasuna, the win keeps their hopes alive for a first major trophy, with a potential final against giants like Barcelona or Real Madrid on the horizon.
Key Moments of the Match
| Minute | Event | Scoreline |
|——–|————————————|—————–|
| 40′ | Aymar Oroz scores for Osasuna | 0-1 |
| 44’ | Ante Budimir converts a penalty | 0-2 |
| 45+2′ | Nico Williams pulls one back | 1-2 |
| 55′ | Oscar de Marcos equalizes | 2-2 |
| 70′ | Ante Budimir scores the winner | 2-3 |
In the other Copa del Rey fixture of the night, Real Sociedad secured a comfortable 3-1 victory over Rayo Vallecano. Mikel Oyarzabal opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, followed by ander olasagasti’s strike just before halftime.Despite a penalty converted by Oscar Trejo for Rayo,Sergio Gómez sealed the win with a stunning free-kick in the 79th minute.
as the dust settles on this thrilling night of football, Athletic Bilbao will rue missed opportunities, while osasuna marches on, dreaming of glory. For fans of the lovely game, this match was a reminder of why the Copa del Rey remains one of the moast unpredictable and exciting competitions in world football.
Stay tuned for more updates and analysis as the tournament progresses. Who will lift the coveted trophy this year? Only time will tell.
Thrilling Copa del Rey Clash: Osasuna Stuns Athletic Bilbao in 3-2 Victory
In a dramatic night at San Mamés,defending Copa del Rey champions Athletic bilbao saw thier title defense come too an abrupt end,falling 3-2 to a resilient Osasuna side in the round of 16. the match, filled with twists and turns, showcased the highs and lows of knockout football, leaving fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle. To delve deeper into the key moments and implications of this thrilling encounter, we sat down with football analyst and former La Liga player, Javier Moreno, for an exclusive interview.
On the Match’s Key Moments
Senior Editor: Javier, thank you for joining us. Let’s start with the match itself. Osasuna took an early lead,but Athletic bilbao fought back. What were the key moments that defined this game?
javier Moreno: Absolutely, it was a rollercoaster of emotions. Osasuna’s early goals by Aymar Oroz and Ante Budimir’s penalty were crucial. they capitalized on Athletic’s defensive lapses, which is something you can’t afford in knockout football. But credit to Athletic Bilbao—they showed resilience. Nico Williams’ goal just before halftime gave them hope, and Oscar de Marcos’ equalizer in the second half was a moment of pure class. However, Budimir’s second goal, the winner, was the decisive moment. It came from a loose ball in the box, and he was clinical.
On Athletic Bilbao’s Missed Opportunities
Senior Editor: Athletic Bilbao had their chances. What do you think went wrong for them?
Javier Moreno: It’s a tough one. They had moments of brilliance,especially in the second half,but they lacked the final touch. Gorka Guruzeta and Nico Williams were dangerous, but they couldn’t convert enough of their opportunities. Defensively, they were caught out twice in the first half, and that’s where the game was lost. In knockout competitions, small mistakes can cost you dearly, and that’s exactly what happened here.
On Osasuna’s Resilience and Tactics
Senior Editor: osasuna showed great resilience. What stood out about their performance?
Javier Moreno: Osasuna played with a clear game plan. They were compact defensively and lethal on the counter. Budimir was outstanding—his movement and finishing were top-notch. But it wasn’t just about him. The midfield, led by Lucas Torró, worked tirelessly to disrupt Athletic’s rhythm. And when they needed to defend their lead, they did so with discipline. It was a complete team performance.
On the Copa del Rey’s Unpredictability
Senior Editor: This match was a reminder of why the Copa del Rey is so special. What makes this tournament so unpredictable?
javier Moreno: The Copa del Rey is unique as it’s a knockout competition. there’s no room for error. One bad day,and you’re out. That’s why we see so many upsets and thrilling matches. Teams like Osasuna, who might not have the same resources as Barcelona or Real Madrid, can dream of glory. It’s a tournament where passion and determination frequently enough outweigh talent alone.
on What’s Next for Both Teams
Senior Editor: what’s next for Athletic Bilbao and Osasuna?
Javier Moreno: For Athletic Bilbao, it’s about regrouping.They’ll be disappointed, but they have a strong squad and can focus on La Liga and other competitions. As for Osasuna, this win keeps their dream alive. They’ll face tougher opponents, but with this kind of performance, they can go far. The Copa del rey is wide open this year, and Osasuna will believe they can lift the trophy.
Thank you,Javier,for your insights. It’s clear that this match was a testament to the drama and excitement that the Copa del Rey brings. Stay tuned for more updates as the tournament progresses!
