Less than a week after defeating Barcelona in the final of the Supercopa de Espana and exactly a week later beating Real Madrid in its semi-final, Athletic Bilbao have progressed to the last 16 of the Copa del Rey thanks to a late winner.
Iker Muniain and Raul Garcia both came on at half-time, however, and the latter was on hand to score the Basques’ equaliser in the 52nd minute before Unai Nunez dealt the killer blow in the 90th.
Their opponents were third-tier UD Ibiza, but this was a tie nobody was taking for granted given the exits of both Madrid and Atletico Madrid to third-tier opposition in this season’s Copa.
There had been hope early doors that Ibiza could join Cornella and Alcoyano in delivering an upset. They gave Athletic a guard of honour pre-game but showed no respect after the first whistle, taking the lead in the 12th minute through Javi Perez.
Ibiza 1-2 Athletic Bilbao
Goals:
1-0 Perez Mateo 12′
1-1 Garcia 52′
1-2 Nunez 90′
