In a stunning turn of events, Iñaki Williams made a triumphant return from Ghana's Africa Cup campaign to inspire Athletic Bilbao to a thrilling 4-2 victory over Barcelona, securing a coveted spot in the Copa del Rey semifinals.
Iñaki Williams' Heroic Return Propels Athletic Bilbao Past Barcelona
Williams, who came off the bench in the 59th minute, wasted no time making an impact. On the same day he arrived back in Spain after Ghana's early elimination, the 29-year-old forward found the net in the 107th minute, scoring off the rebound of his own shot. His younger brother, Nico Williams, sealed the victory in stoppage time, sending Athletic to the semifinals for the fifth consecutive season.
Barcelona, seeking a repeat appearance in the Copa semifinals, faced another setback after their earlier loss in the Spanish Super Cup final to Real Madrid. The Catalan club had previously been eliminated by Athletic in extra time in the Copa round of 16 in 2022.
Despite finishing as the runner-up in the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons, Athletic's recent Copa del Rey history has been marked by semifinal exits. The Basque Country club, with its last title in 1984, is eager to claim the coveted trophy this year.
Reflecting on his unexpected heroics, Williams remarked, "Not even in the best of my dreams could I have imagined this. Everything turned out perfect. Yesterday I didn't imagine being here after a tough blow (with Ghana)."
The match at San Mames Stadium was an intense battle, with both teams creating significant scoring opportunities. Barcelona's teenage sensation, Lamine Yamal, missed a golden chance to secure a victory in regulation, highlighting the difficulty of away games in the Copa, as acknowledged by Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández.
Athletic took an early lead with a goal from Gorka Guruzeta in the first minute, but Barcelona responded with goals from Robert Lewandowski and Yamal. Athletic equalized with a header from Oihan Sancet in the 49th minute, setting the stage for Williams' dramatic late-game heroics.
In a remarkable turn of events, Iñaki Williams made a triumphant return from Ghana's Africa Cup campaign, propelling Athletic Bilbao to a thrilling 4-2 victory over Barcelona in the Copa del Rey. Williams, entering the match in the 59th minute, showcased resilience and skill, scoring in extra time off the rebound of his own shot. His contribution, coupled with a late goal from his younger brother Nico Williams, secured Athletic's spot in the Copa del Rey semifinals, marking their fifth consecutive appearance in the last four.
The defeat dealt another blow to Barcelona, aiming for a repeat appearance in the Copa semifinals after their earlier loss in the Spanish Super Cup final. Despite Girona's spirited efforts, the match at San Mames Stadium underscored the unpredictable nature of Copa del Rey clashes, with both teams creating significant scoring opportunities. Barcelona's teenage sensation, Lamine Yamal, missed a golden chance to secure victory in regulation, emphasizing the challenging nature of away games in the tournament. The Copa del Rey continues to provide thrilling moments, with Atletico Madrid set to host Sevilla in an eagerly anticipated clash on Thursday.
Girona's Semifinal Dreams Shattered in Mallorca Defeat
In a captivating Copa del Rey showdown, Girona, perched atop the Spanish league, experienced heartbreak with a 3-2 loss to Mallorca, dashing their aspirations of reaching the semifinals for the first time. Mallorca's early onslaught, with goals from Cyle Larin, Abdón Prats, and Antonio Raíllo, left Girona trailing 3-0 by the 35th minute. Despite a valiant comeback attempt, featuring goals from Cristhian Stuani and Savinho, Girona's hopes dwindled further with Raíllo's red card, reducing them to ten men from the 67th minute onwards. The defeat served as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of Copa clashes, adding an unexpected twist to the tournament's narrative.
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