Iker Muniain had opened the scoring for Athletic Bilbao and then went on to score the winner in the 105th minute and take his team through to the next round.
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Barcelona’s miserable season continues as they were were knocked out of the Copa del Rey by Athletic Bilbao on Thursday. Iker Muniain scored a brace as the home side defeated the Catalan club 3-2 in the round of 16 fixture in Bilbao. Muniain put the hosts ahead inside the opening two minutes before Ferran Torres equalised for Barcelona. Although Inigo Martinez restored Athletic Club’s lead Pedri scored a stoppage time goal to take the game to extra-time. And then, in the 105th minute, Muniain stepped up and converted a spot kick to take his team through to the next round.
FULL-TIME I COOOMMEE OOOOONN!!!!!
The Lions book a place in the quarter-finals with a classic at San Mamés. Skipper @IkerMuniain10 sealed the deal with an extra-time penalty.
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— Athletic Club (@Athletic_en) January 20, 2022
Athletic Club had a dream start to the match. Nico Williams was released down the right flank and the winger beat Jordi Alba for pace before delivering a low cross for Muniain at the far post. The Spanish footballer took one touch, looked up and saw Ter Stegen was in a bad position and chipped in a brilliant finish over the keeper to take the lead.
Although Xavi’s side struggled to match Bilbao’s intensity in the early stages of the game, Ferran Torres leveled the score in the 20th minute. After a beautiful exchange of passes down the left side, Sergio Busquets played the ball to Torres on the left side of the penalty area. The Spanish striker cut inside on his right foot before unleashing a superb curler into the top corner. It was the debut goal for the 21-year-old who had joined the club from Manchester City last week.
Williams was proving too hot for Alba to handle as the 19-year-old forced a brilliant save from Ter Stegen. And then, Dani Garcia’s header from Muniain’s corner was superbly kept out by the German goalkeeper.
After the break, Nico combined with his brother Inaki Williams on the right side of the box, before testing Ter Stegen at the neat post. Inaki’s first-time attempt from Nico’s cross went just over the bar before his attempted cross from the right flank hit the crossbar.
Athletic Club deservedly put their nose in front in the 86th minute. Muniain delivered a superb in-swinging free-kick into the box, Ter stegen made the initial save at the far post from a header, but the ball found Martinez who got it ahead of Gerrard Pique to slot home from point-blank range.
However Barcelona were not willing to give up easily and leveled the score again in the 93rd minute. After a scramble in the box, Dani Alves’ overhead kick fell nicely for Pedri, who fired home from inside the box to send the game to extra time.
In the 105th minute, Alba was called for a handball inside the box while trying to block Nico’s cross and after a VAR check, Bilbao were handed the penalty. Muniain stepped up and converted the spot kick to make the score 3-2.
