Athletic Bilbao have finally seen off Barca, edging an exhausting Copa del Rey round of 16 ties.
Although they were the better side all game, Torres and Pedri’s clinical finishing forced the game to extra-time.
Alba’s clumsy handball handed Athletic one last chance though.
Consequently, Muniain took it from the penalty spot to finish Xavi’s men off.
Starting Lineup:
ATHLETIC BILBAO (4-4-2): Julen Agirrezabala;
Oscar De Marcos, Dani Vivian, Inigo Martinez, Yuri Berchiche;
Nico Williams, Dani Garcia, Mikel Vesga, Iker Muniain (c).
Oihan Sancet, Raul Garcia.
SUBS: Nicolas Serrano, Alex Berenguer, Oier Zarraga, Ander Capa,
Mikel Balenziaga, Inigo Lekue, Alex Petxarromán Eizagirre,
Unai Nunez, Inaki Williams, Unai Simon, Peru Nolaskoain.
BARCELONA (4-3-3): Marc-Andre ter Stegen;
Dani Alves, Ronald Araujo, Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba;
Gavi, Sergio Busquets (c), Pedri.
Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, Ferran Torres, Ferran Jutgla.
SUBS: Neto, Sergino Dest, Arnau Tenas, Clement Lenglet,
Martin Braithwaite, Ansu Fati, Nicolas Gonzalez,
Riqui Puig, Alejandro Balde, Frenkie de Jong, Oscar Mingueza.
Goals:
1-0. Nico Williams darts onto a through ball down the right and beats Alba for pace to cross low into the box. It’s beyond Raul Garcia.
But, their captain Muniain is there to curl a delightful shot back across the goal into the far top corner.
1-1. Torres receives a pass from Busquets to the left of the box, takes a touch past his defender.
And finds the top right corner with ease. It’s a beautiful strike, clean and true.
2-1. Muniain swings in the free-kick from the left. Berenguer beats Ter Stegen to the ball at the far post.
Moreover, the keeper’s block rebounds to Martinez, who clumsily bundles it past Pique and over the line.
2-2. Xavi’s men pile the pressure on and Alves sends a cross back into the centre with an overhead kick.
As a result, Pedri arrives on the scene and blasts the ball past Agirrezabala from the edge of the box.
There was nothing the keeper could do to keep it out.
3-2. Muniain keeps his cool and slots his penalty down the middle, sending Ter Stegen the wrong way.
So, what’s next for Athletic Bilbao and Barcelona?
Athletic Bilbao will face Rayo Vallecano, Meanwhile, Barcelona will face Deportivo Alaves.
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