Just a day after flying back from the Ivory Coast after Ghana’s elimination from the African Cup of Nations, Inaki Williams was Athletic Bilbao’s hero in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals by breaking Barcelona’s resistance in extra time.The Ghana international managed to trace the path of the Basque team to the semi-finals with a goal, while his brother then put an end to the match with a sublime strike for the final 4-2.##EDITORS_CHOICE##Few could have guessed that the sensation three days ago in the form of a draw between Mozambique and Ghana would actually be the turning point in tonight’s Copa del Rey meeting in Bilbao. One of the outsiders of the continental competition managed to score two goals in stoppage time, reach a draw and pull the Black Stars into the abyss with them.The elimination already in the group stage had the effect that the Ghana national team members returned to the clubs earlier than it was planned, and Inaki additionally hurried when it came to coming back to the club ranks. With the desire to be a part of the quarter-finals of Copa del Rey, the attacker arrived by private plane, via Paris, from Côte d’Ivoire to San Mames yesterday, where 24 hours later he directed an eruption of enthusiasm with a goal for 3-2 in stoppage time of the first extra time portion.
In contrast to his performance in the national team, where he was not able to make a significant contribution and where he was expected to take on one of the main roles only after the group stage, the older of the Williams brothers in the club ranks managed to carry the title of hero as a substitute and repeat the scenario of two years ago when his team also eliminated the Catalans from this competition after extra time, albeit then in the round of 16 and with a goal by Iker Muniain.The rivals directed a truly memorable night, decorating it with six goals and two lead turns, however, after four successive defeats against tonight’s opponent, the Basque club served revenge and crossed off another potential trophy from Barcelona’s list (after the recent loss of the Spanish Super Cup final to Real Madrid).The Catalans will regret, first of all, the missed chances of Lamine Yamal who, despite the scored goal, will bear the epithet of one of the guests’ tragedians. The talented Barcelona footballer had two more phenomenal chances after the turnaround goal, but in both situations, he reacted badly and thus left the hosts alive in the match.
COPA DEL REY – 1/4 FINALSWednesday Mallorca – Girona 3-2 (3-0)/Larin 21, Prats 28, 35 pen – Stuani 68 pen, Savio 90+6/Ath.Bilbao – Barcelona 4-2 (1-2) AET/Guruzeta 1, Sancet 49, I. Williams 105+2, N. Williams 120+1 – Lewandowski 26, Yama 32/Thursday 23.00: (1.55) Atl.Madrid (4.10) Sevilla (6.00)***odds are subject to change