FC Barcelona will no longer be playing in the Copa del Rey as they lost to Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday. It’s a disappointment for Barça as they were expecting to reach the Copa del Ray semi-finals.
Athletic Bilbao vs Barcelona: 4-2 Quarter-final Loss
FC Barcelona was knocked out by the Athletic Club in extra time in the quarter-finals at San Mamés. It happened more than once in the recent years.
Eventually, they managed to book their seats for playing in the semi-finals leaving, FC Barcelona in dismay.
Athletic Bilbao vs FC Barcelona: A Tough Match
Barcelona started very well leaving, every Bilbaos under high pressure.
Unfortunately, after some tough 10 minutes, they slowed down. The situation was worse and soon out of hand when the young and efficient defender, Alejandro Balde, got immediate substitution as he got a severe hamstring injury. Still, Barcelona managed to show a great fighting spirit and kept playing until they found their way back into the game.
The young player Yamal did a stunning job in rounding the keepers by being in an outstanding position. But he missed the target in the final minutes after rounding the opponent keeper, Agirrezabala.
Both the teams were sent to extra time to break the tie between them. The spectators considered this match as a historic event as both the teams played spectacularly. In the end, Athletic Bilbao was found to be on the correct side of the match and Barcelona lost it once again and therefore was out of the Copa del Ray.
Barcelona’s defender getting a severe injury
This was an unfortunate day for Barcelona already when the young defender of the team, Alejandro Balde got a hamstring injury. It was when he was chasing a ball and fell on the ground. It was an immediate order to substitute him. The injury seemed serious as the player left the pitch in tears.
Yamal of FC Barcelona sets a record
The 16-year-old Lamine Yamal sets a record as he becomes the youngest scorer in the quarter-finals, at San Mamés. The young Yamal made his debut by scoring 2-1 in the first that made him the youngest football player ever, this century. At the age of 16 years and 195 days, Lamine broke the record set by Juan Miguel when he was 16 years and 238 days, back in the year 2010.
However, the record breaker could have taken his team to the semi-finals but he missed an open goal in the final minutes after rounding Athletic’s keeper Julen Agirrezabala.
Barça’s Coach Xavi “proud” of his players
In a press meet after the match, Barcelona’s coach, Xavi Hernández expressed his disappointment as the team lost the trophy and too got defeated in extra time. He also stated that at the same time, he was “proud” of the young team members because they “competed” and played “fantastic.”
He even mentioned that Barcelona losing in the quarter-finals has put him under pressure and he will be leaving his post of the ‘manager.’
