MATCH REVIEW: Athletic Bilbao vs FC Barcelona

It’s always a tough game to play at San Mames and to make it worse it was a one leg Quarter final of Copa Del Rey, probably the only title we could’ve won this season.
Barça got outplayed by Valverde’s side and lost the match 4-2. Let’s find out how things went in the match.

[First Half]

Barça  didn’t have a great start and conceded the goal in the very first minute. It was a goal on rebound by Gorka Guruzeta to give Bilbao a very early lead.

But Barça fought back by scoring an equaliser in the 26th minute. It was not a very clear shot by Lewandowski but still hit the back of the net. After hitting the first goal it didn’t take much long for Barça  to get a lead as Lamine Yamal scored a screamer in the 32nd minute, Lamine started with a solo and then shoot the ball at the back of the net.

Both teams created a few good chances in the remaining half but neither side could produce a goal.

[Second Half]

Similar to the first half, Barça  didn’t start the second half very well and lost their one goal lead in just the 49th minute. The goal came as a result of a header by Oihan Sancet on the cross of Nico Williams. After the equaliser, Athletic were high on confidence and it surely looked on field as they looked the more dangerous and hungry team looking to score the winner.

In the 86th minute, Lamine was 1v1 with the keeper but missed the chance. Both teams showed good fight in the second half to get a winner but neither could succeed.

[Extra Time]

The extra time started and Athletic were all over Barça and it was soon visible in the scoreline well. Inaki Williams was the hero for Bilbao as he put the ball at the back of the net after rebound from the post to give them the lead. Barça were clearly struggling with creating chances and Athletic were not giving Pena a moment of breath. Pena made two great saves and kept Barça in the game but it wasn’t enough. Nico Williams buried the game in the 120th minute by scoring from his brother’s assist.

Barça were dominant in the first half and were looking in good shape with a goal lead. But soon Athletic fought back in the second half to equalise. And then going on to win the game in the extra time. The top performer of the match was Nico Williams with a goal and a assist to his name. From Barça, Lamine Yamal was clearly the best player on the pitch.

Athletic now sit in the semifinals of the Copa Del Rey as Barça’s season keep on getting worse.

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