Quick Read
- Athletic Bilbao defeated Valencia 2-1 in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals on February 4, 2026.
- Iñaki Williams scored the winning goal in the 96th minute for Athletic Bilbao.
- Umar Sadiq scored an own-goal for Athletic Bilbao, then equalized for Valencia.
- Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Dimitrievski saved a 75th-minute penalty from Mikel Jauregizar.
- Athletic Bilbao advances to its sixth Copa del Rey semifinal in seven seasons.
VALENCIA (Azat TV) – Athletic Bilbao secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Valencia at the iconic Camp de Mestalla on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, advancing to the Copa del Rey semifinals. The decisive goal came from Iñaki Williams deep into stoppage time, ending Valencia’s hopes for a trophy and marking Athletic Bilbao’s sixth semi-final appearance in seven seasons.
The quarterfinal clash, an all-La Liga affair, saw Athletic Bilbao overcome pre-match adversity and a resilient Valencia side that had been undefeated in its last five home games. The win allows the Basque club, which boasts 24 Copa del Rey titles, to continue its pursuit of another domestic cup.
Dramatic Finish Secures Athletic Bilbao’s Semifinal Berth
The match was a tense encounter from the outset. Athletic Bilbao initially took the lead in the 26th minute through an unfortunate own-goal by Valencia’s Umar Sadiq. However, Sadiq quickly redeemed himself, equalizing for the hosts in the 35th minute after capitalizing on a mistake by an Athletic defender, sending the teams into halftime level.
The second half saw both sides push for a winner. Valencia’s goalkeeper, Giorgi Dimitrievski, was a standout performer, making several crucial saves, including tipping away Nico Serrano’s long-range strike early on and notably denying Mikel Jauregizar from the penalty spot in the 75th minute. This save momentarily kept Valencia in the contest, reflecting the team’s resilience. Foulquier also came close for Valencia, hitting the post.
Despite these efforts, the drama peaked in the 96th minute. Following a swift breakaway, Nico Williams delivered a precise cross to his older brother, Iñaki Williams, who fired a left-footed strike from the middle of the penalty box into the net, sealing the 2-1 victory for Athletic Bilbao. The goal was a significant moment, given Athletic’s prior three-match winless streak across all competitions, as reported by Sportstar.
Pre-Match Tensions and Team Challenges
The build-up to the match was not without its controversies for Athletic Bilbao. Spanish media reported that fans threw several objects at the bus carrying Bilbao’s players upon their arrival at the Camp de Mestalla. This incident followed the recent vandalism of a mural depicting Iñaki and Nico Williams in Bilbao, an act that had drawn criticism from some fans.
Both teams also faced significant squad challenges due to injuries and suspensions. Valencia was without key players including Mouctar Diakhaby, Julen Agirrezabala, and Thierry Correia due to injury, while Cristian Rivero was suspended. Athletic Bilbao also contended with a substantial injury list, and Yeray Alvarez and Aitor Paredes were suspended for the quarterfinal clash, according to Goal.com.
Copa del Rey Aspirations and Historical Context
For Valencia, the defeat meant an end to their quest for a first major trophy since lifting the Copa del Rey in 2019, extending their seven-year trophy drought. The team had shown good form in the cup, including a Round of 16 win over second-tier side Burgos, but could not overcome Athletic’s deep cup pedigree.
Athletic Bilbao, in contrast, boasts a rich history in the Copa del Rey, standing as the second-most successful team in the competition’s history after FC Barcelona, with 24 titles. Their recent triumph in 2024 underscored their status as formidable cup competitors. This victory marks their sixth semifinal appearance in seven seasons, highlighting their consistent performance in the tournament.
In other quarterfinal action, Real Sociedad also advanced to the semifinals for the third straight season, defeating Alaves 3-2 with a late winner from Orri Oskarsson. Barcelona beat second-division Albacete 2-1 on Tuesday, while Real Betis was set to host Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid on Thursday to complete the semifinal lineup.
The hard-fought win for Athletic Bilbao, secured by a late goal amidst pre-match tensions and an initial prediction by USA Today favoring Valencia, showcased the team’s enduring resilience and their proven ability to perform under pressure in the Copa del Rey.