The elimination of Ghana in the first round of the CAN at least made Athletic Bilbao and its supporters happy: just forty-eight hours after the departure of the Black Stars, held in check on Monday evening by Mozambique (2-2), Inaki Williams scored against FC Barcelona the goal which sent the team led by Ernesto Valverde into the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey before his little brother Niko definitively sealed the qualification of the Basques (120th+ 1). The striker, who entered on the hour mark (59th), made the difference in two stages just before half-time of extra time (105th+2) while the score had been frozen at 2-2 since the 49th minute and Oihan Sancet’s equalizer.
The start of the first period had already been in favor of the Basques, ahead from the first minute and a goal from Gorka Guruzeta. But a gag goal – scored by Robert Lewandowski after a missed clearance by former Parisian Yuri Berchiche (26th) put Barça back in the match, before the talent of young Lamine Yamal (16) forced them to chase the score. Each team then had its highlights – and the situations to gain the upper hand – but like Yamal for Barça (65th, 86th) and Gurutza (56th) for Bilbao, the two teams competed in imprecision .
The difference was finally made during extra time with the Williams brothers as heroes in a boiling San Mamès. Athletic Bilbao joins Mallorca, who defeated Girona a little earlier (3-2), and Real Sociedad, winner on the pitch of Celta Vigo (2-1) the day before, in the last four. The last place will be awarded this Thursday during the opposition between Atlético de Madrid and Sevilla FC.