Athletic qualified for the semifinals of the Copa del Rey after beating Real Madrid

Athletic Club won 1-0 against Real Madrid this Thursday in San Mamés and qualified for the semifinals of the Copa del Rey. The rojiblanco team was superior to its rival and sentenced the quarterfinal match with a goal in the final minutes.

The rojiblanco team dominated from the first minute and Athletic Club’s first chance came in minute 8 through a Dani García’s shot from outside the area that was cleared by goalkeeper Courtois to corner Four minutes later, after a good play by Nico Williams down the right wing, the clearance from Real Madrid’s defense reached Dani García, and when the ball went in the direction of goal, Nacho deflected the ball. Then, in the 22nd minute, Muniain was the player who could have scored, but after leaving his rivals behind and entering the area, his shot crashed into the side of the net.

Real Madrid had a hard time overcoming the high pressure from Athletic Club in the first half, and their only chance came in the 26th minute, through a shot by Rodrygo that was saved by goalkeeper Agirrezabala.

In the final minutes of the first half, the Bilbao team once again took control of the match. A shot by Muniain and a header by Iñigo Martínez coming out of a corner were the chances that Athletic Club had before reaching the break. In the final minutes of the first half, Nico Williams was injured, coach Marcelino García Toral did not dare to make the substitution, and the rojiblanco team withstood Real Madrid’s last attacks with one less player.

In the first play of the second half, the local team warned with a shot by Iñigo Martínez that did not find a goal. In another corner, in the 49th minute, Raúl García’s dangerous shot also went wide after hitting Nacho.

After fifteen minutes without scoring chances, Athletic Club approached the goal defended by Courtois, but Iñaki Williams was unable to finish off Muniain’s good pass. In the 68th minute, Berenguer made a good play, his pass from the side of the box was too strong, and he couldn’t find a finisher.

The clearest chance of the game for Real Madrid came in the 80th minute; Casemiro received a good pass from Asensio inside the area, and Agirrezabala avoided the goal by deflecting the Brazilian midfielder’s shot.

In the final stretch of the match, Athletic Club was suffering, Real Madrid took possession of the ball, but Vesga recovered the ball after an error by Casemiro, gave the pass to Berenguer, and the Atletico striker scored the 1-0 after cutting inside the area and beating Courtois with a cross shot.

Isco had a good one to tie in stoppage time, in minute 94, but he shot too cross and was also called offside. In the end, victory for Athletic Club.

Data sheet:

1 – Athletic Club: Agirrezabala; De Marcos, Yeray, Iñigo Martínez, Yuri; Nico Williams (Berenguer, m.46), Dani García, Vesga, Muniain (Balenziaga, m.92); Raúl García (Serrano, m.78) and Iñaki Williams.

0 – Real Madrid: Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Nacho, Alaba; Casemiro, Kroos (Camavinga, m.76), Modric; Rodrygo, Marco Asensio and Vinícius (Isco, m.60).

Goals: 1-0, m.88: Berenguer.

Referee: Jesús Gil Manzano (Extremeño Committee). He showed a yellow card to the locals Dani García (m.42), De Marcos (m.66) and Yuri (m.68), and to the visitors Kroos (m.23) and Modric (m.59).