Athletic Club beat Espanyol (1-0) and qualified for the quarterfinals of the Cup

Euskaraz irakurri: Athleticek Kopako final-laurdenetarako txartela lortu du Espanyol mendean hartuta (1-0)

Athletic Club qualified for the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey after gbeat Espanyol 1-0 on Wednesday, January 18, in the round of 16 match that was played in san mames. Therefore, the rojiblancos will be in the draw for the next phase which will be held on January 20.

The Bilbao team took possession of the ball from the first moment and began to generate scoring chances. Yeray gave the first warning with a long shot that missed the target. Later, they tried it from outside the area three or four times, but the shots from the Athletic players went wide. In the 15th minute, goalkeeper Joan García prevented Berenguer’s goal with a great save. Seven minutes later, the visiting team’s goalkeeper saved a good shot from Sancet.

Despite all their dominance, Athletic could not pierce the rival goal. Espanyol was impotent for almost the entire first half, but gave a scare, with a Joselu’s goal in the 24th minute, which was canceled for offside from the striker. Shortly after, in the 27th minute, Athletic won the award at their insistence: Zarraga gave the pass to Sancet, he gave it to De Marcos with his heel and the rojiblanco winger made it 1-0 on the scoreboard after beating Joan García.

After going ahead on the scoreboard, the rojiblancos were able to increase their lead, but the rival goalkeeper prevented goals from Berenguer (minute 37) and Guruzeta (minute 42). In this way, the break was reached with a single goal advantage for the local team.

After the break, Espanyol took to the field with a more offensive character and soon had a chance to tie, but Vesga got in the way of a comb by Expósito who was waiting for a couple of blue and whites in the small area to finish off almost at will.

Although the second half was more even, Athletic once again took possession of the ball, and once again controlled the clash. Ernesto Valverde’s team had a hard time generating scoring chances. A cross from De Marcos that couldn’t find a shooter, a shot from Vivian blocked by the defense, a shot from Sancet that Joan García caught and a shot from Yeray, all in the area, threatened a 2-0 draw that didn’t come.

Nor did Espanyol worry in the final minutes, Athletic did not suffer, and sealed their victory (1-0).

Data sheet:

1 – Athletic Club: Agirrezabala; From Marcos, Vivian, Yeray, Yuri; Vesga, Zarraga (Herrera, m.79); Nico Williams, Sancet (Raúl García, m.79), Berenguer (Muniain, m.69); and Guruzeta (Iñaki Williams, m.69).

0 – Spanish: Joan Garcia; Rubén Sánchez (Lazo, m.78), Sergi Gómez, Montes, Cabrera (Aleix Vidal, m.46), Brian Oliván; Vini Souza, Darder (Nico Melamed, m.61), Foundling (Pol Lozano m.69); Puado (Koleosho, m.69) and Joselu.

Goal: 1-0, m.27: De Marcos.

Referee: Juan Luis Pulido Santana (Las Palmas Committee). He showed a yellow card to the locals Yeray (m.45), and to the visitors Puado (m.36), Rubén Sánchez (m.44), Sergi Gómez (m.48 +) and Vini (m.93).

VAR referee: Santiago Jaime Latre (Aragonese Committee).