A captivating showdown unfolded on Thursday, January 25, 2024, as Athletic Club secured a thrilling victory against FC Barcelona in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals. The San Mames Stadium in the Basque Country witnessed an intense battle that concluded with Athletic Club prevailing with a 4-2 scoreline.
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Match Highlights
The encounter proved to be a rollercoaster ride, featuring early dominance from Athletic Club, a resilient Barcelona comeback, and a gripping extra-time climax. Inaki Williams played a pivotal role, scoring a crucial goal in the dying moments of the first half of extra time, ultimately securing the win for Athletic Club. Despite Barcelona’s efforts, Nico Williams sealed the victory with an injury-time goal.
Key Players
The Williams brothers, Nico and Iñaki, emerged as the standout performers for Athletic Club. Nico’s decisive fourth goal earned him a remarkable rating of 9 in the player evaluations. Meanwhile, Ronald Araujo showcased his defensive prowess for Barcelona, contributing over 25 defensive actions throughout the game.
Brief Timeline (Athletic Club vs Barcelona)
- Nico Williams booked and scores the fourth goal for Bilbao (120:0)
- Sergi Roberto booked (116:59)
- Ander Herrera receives a yellow card (108:8)
- Inaki Williams scores the third goal for Bilbao (105:0)
- Sergi Roberto replaces Pedri (98:50)
- Half-time in extra time
- Full-time with a scoreline of 2-2
- Second half begins
La Liga Standing
In the ongoing La Liga season, Barcelona currently holds the third position with 44 points, while Athletic Club sits in fourth place with 41 points.
Previous Performances
Their La Liga history featured a recent encounter where Barcelona secured a 1-0 victory. However, in the Copa del Rey quarterfinal match, Athletic Club showcased a stellar performance, turning the tables with a 4-2 triumph. Both teams have demonstrated commendable form this season, with Barcelona claiming victory in 65% of their matches, and Athletic Club boasting a record of 12 wins, 5 draws, and 3 losses.
Watch Match highlights
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