In a surprising turn of events during the Copa del Rey knockout stages, defending champions Athletic Club faced a shocking exit after losing 2-1 to a determined Real Sociedad. The match took place at the San Mames stadium, with Sociedad putting forth a stellar performance. Brais Mendez opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, giving Real Sociedad an early lead. Athletic Club equalized shortly after with a goal from Iñaki Williams in the 38th minute, but a late strike from Alexander Isak in the 81st minute sealed the deal for Sociedad. Following their victory, Sociedad manager Imanol Alguacil expressed his pride, stating, ‘We showed great character and played as a united team.’ Meanwhile, in other matches, Barcelona delivered a commanding performance against rivals Real Madrid, winning 3-0 at Camp Nou, highlighting their dominance in Spanish football this season. Ansu Fati and Robert Lewandowski were among the scorers, further solidifying the team’s position as contenders for the title. With the competition heating up, many eyes are now focused on the quarterfinals, expected to take place next month.
Copa del Rey Round-Up: Athletic Club Eliminated as Real Sociedad Advances
