Inaki Williams strikes late to send Athletic Club into Copa del Rey semis

Ghana international Inaki Williams rose from the bench to score a last gasp winner as Athletic Club defeated Valencia 2-1 in the Copa del Rey quarter finals at the Mestalla on Wednesday.

Athletic Club shot their noses in front after Nigeria forward Umar Sadiq headed a floated free kick into his own net with 26 minutes played.

Valencia regained control despite the early setback with Umar Sadiq tormenting the visitors with quick runs and intelligent positional play.

 

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The former Real Sociedad attacker then came to the rescue of Valencia nine minutes after his error to pull level, sending the home fans into cheers.

Athletic were awarded penalty after VAR review

After an incessant pressure, Athletic Club keeper Alex Padilla spilled a lofted effort in the area with Sadiq latching onto it for the equalizer in the 35th minute.

Athletic Club manager, Ernesto Valverde had to think outside the box, effecting smart second half substitutions which saw Inaki and Nico Williams join the fray in the 70th minute.

Five minutes after the substitution, Athletic Club were awarded a penalty after a VAR review but Mikel Jauregizar shot into the right palm of Stole Dimitrievski in post for Valencia.

However the Williams brothers combined beautifully to claw the important winner for the visitors late in the game. Nico surged from the right side of the field into the penalty area before connecting Inaki for the winner.

Athletic Club have now qualified for the semifinals and will now turn the spotlight on their next La Liga fixture against Levante on February 8.

The winner is a feather in Inaki Williams’ cap having shrugged off a recent abductor injury which sidelined him for three months. The goal was Inaki’s second in 21 games in all competitions.