Barcelona Shockingly Ousted from Copa del Rey Quarter-finals by Athletic Bilbao in 4-2 Defeat

In a stunning turn of events, Barcelona suffered a 4-2 defeat at the hands of Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals, signaling their unexpected exit from the competition. The match at San Mames witnessed early fireworks as Gorka Guruzeta gave Bilbao an instant lead.

Despite Barcelona bouncing back and taking a 2-1 lead with goals from Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal just after the half-hour mark, Bilbao’s resilience came to the forefront. Oihan Sancet leveled the score in the 49th minute, pushing the game into extra time.

Inaki Williams, followed by a late goal from Nico Williams, secured Athletic Bilbao’s victory in a gripping encounter. Barcelona, under the management of Xavi, struggled to convert their possession dominance into a decisive advantage, while Bilbao showcased their attacking prowess with 27 shots on goal.

The defeat not only marks Barcelona’s unexpected exit from the Copa del Rey but also sees both Barcelona and Real Madrid, the traditional powerhouses, eliminated from the competition. The quarter-final clash will be remembered for its intense action and the missed opportunity by 16-year-old Yamal, who could have propelled Barcelona to the semi-finals with a late goal that went astray after rounding Bilbao’s goalkeeper.