Barcelona are dumped OUT of the Copa del Rey by Athletic Bilbao as Iker Muniain’s extra-time winner sees Xavi’s men exit at the last-16 stage, despite Ferran Torres netting his first goal since signing from Man City
- Pedri had equalised in third minute of stoppage time to earn extra 30 minutes
- But Iker Muniain struck a penalty kick at the end of the first half to seal 3-2 win
- Muniain had opened the scoring of the last-16 tie in just the second minute
- Barcelona equalised through Ferran Torres who scored his first goal for the club
- Inigo Martinez struck four minutes from the end before Pedri’s equaliser
- Xavi’s side suffered a double blow with Ansu Fati picking up an injury
Xavi will have to win the Europa League if he is to pick up a trophy in his first season in charge at Barcelona after his side crashed out of the Spanish Cup at the last-16 stage.
Two goals from Iker Muniain did for the Copa del Rey holders and Athletic Bilbao were worthy winners in the rain at San Mames.
Having fallen in the semi-finals of the Spanish Super Cup, been knocked out of the Champions League, and dropped 17 points off the pace in LaLiga, this competition was Barcelona’s best chance of silverware this season.
Iker Muniain scored in extra-time for Athletic Bilbao to dump Barcelona out of the Copa del Rey
Muniain netted a spot-kick to secure a 3-2 victory in the last-16 of the competition
But two-goal Iker Muniain did for them. He had scored after two minutes and he made no mistake from the spot in extra time after Jordi Alba had handled.
Barcelona also lost substitute Ansu Fati to injury in added time and his tears suggested another set-back for the injury haunted 19-year-old.
Barcelona were lucky to go in on terms at half time. Nico Williams was a constant threat and created Athletic’s opener within two minutes. He raced away from Alba and when his cross went long it ran to Muniain who arrowed his shot past Marc Andre ter Stegen.
Barcelona leveled when Ferran Torres bent a shot past Unai Simon. It was his first since joining from Manchester City but it did not stop Athletic having the upper hand. Ter Stegen saved well from Nico Williams and again when he kept out Raul Garcia’s header from Muniain’s corner just before half time.
Pedri scored in stoppage time for Barcelona to draw level with Athletic Bilbao at 2-2
Barcelona players celebrate with Pedri after his goal secured extra-time in the final seconds
But Barca were dealt a blow in extra-time when they lost Ansu Fati to injury
Athletic lost Oihan Sancet to a knee injury on the hour so Inaki Williams came on to join his brother Nico and they nearly linked up to put the home side back in front. Nico crossed from the right and Inaki’s touch was good but just too heavy to keep the ball down and it fizzed over Ter Stegen’s bar.
Ansu Fati was now on for Barcelona and he so nearly played in Torres only for Iñigo Martinez to slide in with a saving tackle. It was frantic end to end stuff now and Gerard Pique was booked for fouling Muniain.
Inigo Williams was running at Barcelona’s quickest player Ronald Araujo and beating him for pace. He got past him down the right and, keen not to give him time to recover, went for goal from distance sending a long cross shot on to Ter Stegen’s crossbar.
Moments later Marcelino’s team went one better. Muniain’s free-kick was headed goalwards by substitute Alex Berenguer. Ter Stegen blocked it but Inigo Martinez scrambled it in at the far post despite Pique trying to block it on the line. Several Athletic players had been offside when Muniain crossed but neither of them was Berenguer so the goal stood.
Athletic scored again with their next attack but this time the offside flag had been correctly raised with Berenguer offside before turning in Nico Williams’ cross.
Muniain opened the scoring during the Copa del Rey last-16 tie in just the second minute
Ferran Torres equalised for his side just 18 minutes later with a curling effort
Torres’ goal was his first for Barcelona since signing from Manchester City this month
Barcelona would have one chance to salvage their place in the cup in the four minutes of added time and Pedri took it to send the game into extra time. Dani Garcia and Mikel Vesga came hurtling in from either side to stop him but before the sliding doors closed he slammed in the equaliser.
It was extra-special from the player who loves and added 30 minutes – in 13 of the last 16 games he has played in where extra-time has been a possibility, there has been extra time.
But it started badly for Barcelona because Ansu Fati hobbled off. As both Marcelino and Xavi looked to console the Spain striker, Inaki Williams curled a shot just over. Sergio Busquets then hauled down Munian and was booked.
Pedri – like Ansu Fati just back from a long injury – was also struggling but still Barcelona looked to be edging closer to penalties until a spot-kick came early to end it. Jordi Alba handled Nico Williams’ cross and Muniain kept his head to bury the kick past Ter Stegen and put Athletic into Friday’s quarter-final draw.
Barcelona boss Xavi looks on during his side’s Copa del Rey defeat by Athletic Bilbao
Bilbao stars celebrate in front of their fans after Inigo Martinez struck four minutes from time
