By Sabiu Abdullahi
A pulsating Copa del Rey quarter-final clash unfolded at San Mamés Stadium on Wednesday night as Athletic Bilbao emerged victorious in a breathtaking 4-2 victory over Barcelona.
Inaki and Nico Williams, the dynamic brothers, etched their names into the match’s narrative, delivering decisive blows in extra time.
The host, Athletic Bilbao, set the stage early, grabbing a lead within the first minute as Gorka Guruzeta capitalised on a rebound with a clinical strike.
Barcelona, however, showed resilience, responding before the break with two goals in quick succession by Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal, turning the tide in their favour.
The second half witnessed an electrifying response from Athletic Bilbao, as Oihan Sancet soared high for a towering header, levelling the score at 2-2 in the 49th minute. With both teams locked in a fierce battle, the game spilled into extra time.
Inaki Williams, continuing his stellar performance, struck first in the 102nd minute, putting Athletic ahead. The drama reached its peak when Nico Williams added another goal, securing a 4-2 victory for Bilbao and sealing Barcelona’s fate in the Copa del Rey.
With this triumph, Athletic Bilbao advances to the semifinals, joining Real Sociedad, Mallorca, and the winner of Thursday’s clash between Atletico Madrid and Sevilla.
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