Brothers Inaki Nico Williams Athletic Bilbao Copa final rout Atletico Madrid
Athletic Bilbao defeats Atletico Madrid 3-0, advances to Copa del Rey final. Williams brothers shine, fans cause trouble, and more.
Athletic Bilbao displayed a remarkable performance as brothers Iñaki and Nico Williams led the team to a 3-0 victory over Atletico Madrid, securing their spot in the Copa del Rey final for the third time in five seasons. Gorka Guruzeta also contributed with a goal as Athletic advanced 4-0 on aggregate, following their 1-0 win in the first leg in Madrid. The Basque club will face Mallorca in the final on April 6, after Mallorca eliminated Real Sociedad in a penalty shootout.
Nico and Iñaki, sons of Ghanaian parents who migrated to Spain, showcased their strong partnership on the field, with Nico dedicating the victory to their parents in Ghana. The brothers have overcome challenges to reach this stage, representing a club that traditionally fields players from the Basque Country. Despite fan trouble before the match and a delay in the second half due to a medical emergency, Athletic's performance shone through.
Athletic, with 23 Copa del Rey titles, is aiming to add to its rich history in the competition. The team coached by Ernesto Valverde has been a consistent presence in the semifinals, eliminating top teams like Barcelona this season. Atletico, a 10-time Copa winner, fell short in the semifinals, missing the chance to secure their first title since 2013. Diego Simeone's side, without Antoine Griezmann due to injury, couldn't capitalize on their chances against a dominant Athletic team.
Iñaki and Nico showcased their skills with well-timed goals, showcasing their chemistry on the field. Nico, who faced criticism last season, redeemed himself with a strong performance in the semifinals. Guruzeta sealed the victory for Athletic, delighting over 52,000 fans at San Mames Stadium. Athletic's win at the Metropolitano ended Atletico's impressive unbeaten streak at home, highlighting the team's determination and skill on the road to the final.
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