Athletic Club - Barcelona summary: score, goals, highlights, Copa del Rey 2023/24

Athletic took the lead on the night through Guruzeta but Barcelona hit back in the first half, with goals from Lewandowski and a Messi-esque strike from Lamine Yamal. 

The Basque side drew level after the break when Sancet headed home a Nico Williams cross from the left. The teams, however, could not be separated and the thrilling tie went to extra time. 

Substitute Iñaki Williams made it 3-2 to Athletic at the end of the first half of extra time before his younger brother Nico wrapped the game up with a stunning finish in the 121st minute to make it 4-2 and send Athletic into the Copa del Rey semi-finals.

Another Copa del Rey semi-final

Athletic have made their way to the last four of the Copa for the fifth consecutive year.

Athletic progress to the semi-finals of this year's Copa del Rey with a 4-2 victory over Barcelona at San Mamés.

There's the full-time whistle!

Athletic have knocked Barcelona out of the Copa del Rey!

Nico has been sensational tonight and deserved that goal.

It falls to him on the edge of the area and with the outside of his right foot, he sends it curling into the top corner.

It's a stunning goal. 

Barcelona send it long... Athletic clear.

We're into the final minute!

And San Mamés is on its feet. What an atmosphere they create up here. 

The Athletic substitutes are all on their feet - urging their team on as the clock ticks down.

Sergi Roberto is booked for a foul on goalscorer Iñaki Williams.

You can feel the tension around San Mamés, especially when Barcelona get on the ball.

Barcelona have five minutes to rescue this.

Can they do it?

Iñaki Williams!

Iñaki Peña comes off his line and gets the shot in his face. 

It's brilliant, brave goalkeeping.

That could have been 4-2 to Athletic...

Marc Guiu!

De Jong plays in the young striker, who shoots with his left foot from just inside the box. Julen Agirrezabala is well-positioned to stop it.

Barcelona are looking for that all-important equaliser.

Ander Herrera is booked for taking down Sergi Roberto.

When you watch it back, though, he actually doesn't touch him and is understandably baffled by the decision.

Barcelona change

OFF Lamine Yamal

ON Marc Guiu

The second half of extra time is underway!

It's Iñaki Williams' first goal in the Copa del Rey this season and what a goal it could turn out to be.

Athletic lead. Maybe we won't need penalties!

And it's now half-time in extra time!

Iñaki hits the post, the ball falls back into his path, and he taps it into an empty net!

San Mamés has erupted!

It's almost midnight but they don't care.

In today's other Copa del Rey quarter-final, Mallorca caused an upset, beating the high-flying Girona 3-2.

Joao félix switches one from left to right but there is just too much on it and Lamine can't keep it in. 

OFF Pedri

ON Sergi Roberto

Athletic are knocking on the door. 

Inaki gets in behind on the right before squaring it back for Herrera, who can't keep his effort down. 

2-2

Nico Williams sends Koundé to the shops with a drop of the shoulder and his shot is then deflected out for a corner.

The resulting corner comes to nothing.

Lamine pulls Nico Williams back and gets a yellow for his sins.

This is when players start tiring. Extra time can be absolutely draining. Valverde has used all his subs already; Xavi can still make two more.

Barcelona get us underway in extra time.

Athletic Club were the better side in the second half, but Barcelona had two glorious chances to win the game. 

It's 11:30 p.m. in Bilbao but these fans are going nowhere, even if the kids have school in the morning!

It's been brilliant and now have we another 30 minutes of it!

The sides can't be separated in Bilbao as they look to book their place in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey.

There's the full-time whistle!

We're going to extra time!

Sancet crosses from the right. Barcelona deal with it and it's eventually cleared.

There will be four minutes added on!

If the sides can't be separated, we're going to extra time!

Valverde makes two more changes

Herrera is on.

LAMINE!

He goes around Agirrezabala... there's an empty goal in front of him, but as he goes away from goal to create the angle he sends it over the bar with his weaker right foot.

It's a wonderful chance. Xavi has his hands on his head.

As Vivian goes driving forward from the back, Fort comes across and drags him to the ground. 

He was always getting booked for that.

Prados and Ferran are both booked for clashing. 

Ferran scored a hat-trick against Betis on Sunday but hasn't found the back of the net tonight.

SANCET!

He can't keep it down...

He comes across the ball but it's well wide from the Spain interational. 

We're entering the final 10 minutes and it's all-square in the Basque Country.

OFF Robert Lewandowski

ON João Félix

Pau Cubarsí is on for Barcelona. The 17-year-old has been described as “the perfect mix of Piqué and Puyol”. 

He combines the profile of a competitive player, who can also play out from the back, something that was displayed with his 93.5% pass success rate in the 4-2 win over Betis. 

Nico Williams - you just know when someone is up for it. He has been terrific tonight.

NICO WILLIAMS!

He takes it down on his chest, gets a yard, and bends a shot from 18 yards. It curls just past the post.

Ernesto Valverde thinks it's in...

Athletic sub

The trumpet player is on. 

Unai Gómez heads over the bar from Nico Williams' corner on the left. It's 2-2 as we enter the final 20 minutes of normal time in Bilbao.

OFF Andreas Christensen

ON Pau Cubarsí

Araújo has come back on. He could be ok to stay on.

Araújo is down getting treatment. He has had his injury issues. We hope it's nothing serious.

What a chance for Barcelona!

Lamine is through on goal... he dinks it over Agirrezabala, but it rolls wide.

Athletic leave so much room in behind for the teenager, who can't make the most of a super chance.

Scenes!

Iñaki Williams shoots!

He's about 20 yards out, but his effort flies high and wide.

Remember, tonight is a single-leg match.

These two clubs are the clubs that have lifted the Copa del Rey trophy the most times.

Barcelona hold the record with 31 wins, while Athletic have 23, but none since 1984.

The Basque club have reached the final six times since then, but have lost every time.

Athletic change

Iñaki is back!

And what an ovation he has received. They love him here.

He's only back from AFCON, after Ghana were knocked out of the tournament.

Every time Barca get on the ball, the home crowd whistles the Catalans. 

Nico Williams is on the left, he's on the right. He's been everywhere basically, while his older brother continues to warm up on the sideline.

Guruzeta heads just over!

He gets in front of Araújo but can't quite keep the header down.

2-2

Athletic draw level

This Copa del Rey quarter-final is wide open.

Nico Williams shifts the ball onto his right foot, on the left wing, and curls in a ball that is so difficult to defend. Sancet makes it 2-2 and The Cathedral erupts once again. 

Game on!

Sancet heads home from close range!

It's a beautiful left-wing cross from Nico Williams. 

Athletic change

Unai Gómez replaces Mikel Vesga.

We're underway for the second half in Bilbao. 

Barcelona lead thanks to first-half goals from Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal.

The teams are making their way out for the second half. 

There's the whistle for half-time!

Barcelona lead at the break. It's 1-2. 

FERRAN!

What a stop by Agirrezabala to deny the Barcelona forward. 

Nico Williams sends a free in from the right, from a deep position on the right. Araújo gets up to clear it away. 

There will be four minutes added on. 

The extremely talented Nico Williams sees his shot from outside the box deflected out for a corner. 

Iñaki Peña makes a big save as the corner comes in. Barcelona stay ahead, just.

Gorka Guruzeta is flagged for being in an offside position as Athletic look to go long. 1-2

After being stunned, the home crowd is starting to find its voice once again. 

I can't help but feel that there will indeed be more goals in this one.

Lewandowski gets a head to Gundogan's low corner but it's straight in Agirrezabala's hands.

Barcelona turn it around

It's been non-stop!

Barcelona lead in Bilbao!

It's 1-2

He's just sensational. Lamine drives from just inside the Athletic half. He can't be stopped as he edges closer to the area and from 20 yards out he unleashes an unstoppable low left-footed drive beyond Julen Agirrezabala.

It's a superb goal. He's 16!

Lewandowski gets rewarded for closing down the defender as the blocked ball ends up in the back of the net.

It's 1-1 at San Mamés.

Yuri attempts to clear the ball from his box. He's only six yards out. Lewandowski sticks his foot out to block the clearance, which comes off the striker's foot and flies into the net. 

Barcelona change

The Catalans have been forced into an early change. 

Balde limps off and is struggling to hold the tears back. That is bad news for the Blaugrana.

Adu Ares takes out Christensen and Barca have a free.

At the same time, it looks like Balde is in trouble. He goes down holding his hamstring. That could be a few weeks on the sidelines for the young left-back, who looks devastated.

Xavi hasn't sat down once yet - he's constantly on his feet giving instructions to his players.

And just as I say that he is booked. Christensen is booked for a foul on Guruzeta. Xavi argues with the decision and is then booked himself. 

Lamine Yamal has taken his place on the right wing tonight and has had a couple of mazy runs stopped by the home backline. 

He was outstanding against Betis in the league on Sunday, cutting in from the right and causing all sorts of problems.

He is still only 16.

Iñaki Williams is on the Athletic bench tonight, having returned to Bilbao after Ghana were knocked out of the Africa Cup of Nations.

After a thunderous start, it has all settled down. Barcelona can't believe what has hit them and are trying to find their way into the game. 

Buzzing is an understatement.

Prados fouls Pedri after Barcelona's first real move. Barcelona have a free-kick; it's a long way out.

Athletic eventually clear the free. 

Nico Williams sends an inswinging corner from the left. Lewandowski rises at the front post to head the cross clear. 

Athletic have started brilliantly and lead at San Mamés. They're taking the game to Barcelona, who haven't been able to settle at all.

 Adu Ares sends a cross into the box from the right. Guruzeta hits it left-footed first time but it flies wide. 1-0

There's a scramble in the box... the ball then falls to Gorka Guruzeta, who buries it home from close range.

It's a phenomenal start from the home side and it's Guruzeta's first goal in the Copa del Rey this season.

Athletic have all scored after 36 seconds!

What a start!

Athletic are playing in their famous red and white from left to right. 

And we're underway in Bilbao!

There sides are the two most successful sides in the history of the Copa del Rey.

It's all set up to be a cracking encounter.

The atmosphere here is electric!

The Cathedral is absolutely rocking.

Here come the teams!

And San Mamés is looking wonderful.

Athletic's Copa del Rey run began with a 2-1 victory over Catalan outfit Rubi. They then beat Cayón 3-0, Eibar 2-0 and in the round of 16, recorded another victory over Alavés (2-0).

"Athletic are an aggressive side and they will pressure us a lot. They have a great coach and international players who are in excellent form such as Nico Williams, Sancet and De Galarreta. Also, they have a stadium and fans that make a lot of noise and get behind them. It will be a tough game and we will have to compete."

Barcelona XI

Kick-off at San Mamés is just 10 minutes away!

Athletic XI

Warm-ups underway

Both sets of players have made their way out for their pre-match warm-ups.

BARCELONA

When will goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen be back playing for Barcelona?

Ter Stegen hasn’t played since the 2-1 win over Alavés on 12 November, immediately after which he suffered a back injury while on international duty.

Initially ruled out for “a few weeks,” he was ultimately forced to undergo surgery and have an extended spell on the sidelines.

It's usually a mate in hand for Ronald Araújo pre-game. It's stronger than your average green tea and you may not enjoy your first sip of it but it's common among many of the South American stars, including Leo Messi and Luis Suárez. 

Before losing to Valencia (1-0) at the weekend, Athletic were unbeaten in 14 games in all competitions. They will be hoping to return to winning ways in front of a full house this evening. 

Barcelona, meanwhile, come into this after beating Real Betis 4-2 at the Benito Villamarín on Sunday. 

Single-leg match

Tonight is a single-leg match. These two sides are the sides that have lifted the Copa del Rey trophy the most times.

Barça hold the record with 31 wins, while Athletic have 23, but none since 1984. The Basque club have reached the final six times since then, but have lost every time.

COPA DEL REY

Who is José María Sánchez Martínez, the referee for Athletic Club vs Barcelona in the Copa del Rey?

Refereeing controversy has been the theme of the week in Spain following Real Madrid’s VAR-assisted LaLiga victory over Almería on Sunday.

Read more on tonight's referee.

Barcelona XI

Here is how the Blaugrana will line up tonight:

Athletic XI

Ernesto Valverde has named the following XI:

Atmosphere building in Bilbao

Pre-match in Bilbao is alive and kicking.

Barcelona team news

Gavi, Marcos Alonso, Marc-André ter Stegen, Iñigo Martínez, Raphinha and João Cancelo all miss out for the Blaugrana, however, defender Andreas Christensen has returned from a foot injury and has been named in the Barça squad.

“We're really looking forward to this one. I know we're playing a lot of football at the moment, but the spark has to be there tomorrow. We're both aware there's a lot at stake.

"They could be favourites to win the competition, but we're playing in front of our fans at San Mames and we're going to do everything possible to make it a great night."

Pre-match in Bilbao

This city lives and breathes it.

COPA DEL REY

Why isn’t Raphinha playing for Barcelona against Athletic Club in the Copa del Rey?

Raphinha has found himself in and out of the Barcelona team in an inconsistent first half of the season, during which he has made 20 appearances (13 starts) in all competitions, scoring four goals and setting up seven more.

He was in Xavi’s lineup for the Spanish Super Cup semi-final win against Osasuna on 11 January but had to go off just before half-time, with Barça confirming the following day he has suffered a (left) hamstring injury.

Previous Copa meetings between Athletic and Barcelona at San Mamés

The two most recent Copa matches between Athletic and Barcelona at San Mames saw the Basque side beat the Catalans on both occasions.

In 2019/20, Ghana forward Iñaki Williams scored a 93rd-minute winner to book a place in the semi-finals. 

In 2021/22, Athletic won again, with midfielder Iker Muniain netting an extra-time penalty in a 3-2 win in the round of 16.

LALIGA

Real Betis - Barcelona summary: Ferran hat-trick, score, goals, highlights, LaLiga

Against Real Betis in LaLiga on Sunday, Barcelona led 1-0 at the break before the second half exploded with five more goals.

Isco's brace levelled things up for Betis before Joao Félix came off the bench to give Barcelona the lead again.

Ferran Torres then put the game to bed late on with his hat-trick to seal an important victory for the Blaugrana on the road.

This is how it unfolded: Real Betis 2-4 Barcelona

Messi x Pedri

Another Copa semi-final for Athletic?

Athletic Club are only one step away from reaching their fifth consecutive Copa del Rey semi-final.

Tonight will be the 46th Copa del Rey match between the two sides.

Barcelona travel to Bilbao

After beating minnows Barbastro and later Unionistas, Barcelona now face a tricky trip to the Basque Country. A rocking San Mamés will not make things easy for Xavi's side either.

This Copa del Rey quarter-final will have it all.

San Mamés

It doesn't get much bigger than Barcelona under the lights at San Mamés.

Athletic Club vs Barcelona: welcome!

Hello and welcome to AS USA's live coverage of this Copa del Rey match between Athletic Club and Barcelona.

I'm Kieran Quaile and I'll be taking you through all the action as it unfolds in Bilbao.