Holders Barcelona were kicked out of the Copa del Rey as their tough season continued after suffering a 3-2 loss in extra time at Athletic Bilbao in Thursday’s last 16.
Athletic dominated in a thrilling match and went ahead early on thanks to a graceful cross-shot from Iker Munian, who swung the ball into the top corner from Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Former Manchester City forward Ferran Torres equalized for Barca with a brilliant right-footed strike from the edge of the field, his first goal for the club.
Inigo Martinez put Athletic back in front after 86 minutes, winning a challenge to score against Gerard Pique, but Pedri scored a fine goal in stoppage time to send the game into extra time.
Man-of-the-match Munian scored the winner with a penalty when the video assistant referee saw a handball from Jordi Alba inside the field.
Athletic were joined by Real Madrid, Real Sociedad, Valencia, Real Betis, Rio Vallecano, Mallorca and Cádiz in the quarter-finals. The draw will take place on Friday.
Barcelona’s disappointing campaign took another turn for the worse.
Finishing in the Champions League group stage, they lost to Bilbao in a repeat of last year’s final, which they won 4–0, and two of their most promising players, Anu Fati and Pedri, were replaced by injuries.
“We will see on Friday what they have but it is worrying how Anu Fati left the game,” Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez told a news conference.
“We knew it would be a game though and I am proud that my players fought and gave their best. We still have LaLiga and Europa League to fight for and we will do it till the end.”
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