By Charlotte Coates.
Barcelona were knocked out of the Copa del Rey by Athletic Bilbao after losing their quarter-final 4-2 at San Mames.
Gorka Guruzeta gave Bilbao a first-minute lead but Barca were ahead just after the half-hour mark as Robert Lewandowski equalised and Lamine Yamal made it 2-1
Bilbao equalised in the 49th minute with Oihan Sancet.
Inaki Williams scored in extra-time before brother Nico Williams sealed victory at the death.
Xavi’s Barcelona side dominated possession, but Bilbao looked the most dangerous and had 27 shots on goal.
However, 16-year-old Yamal, who became the competition’s youngest scorer, could have put Barca into the semi-finals in the final minutes but he missed an open goal after rounding Bilbao keeper Julen Agirrezabala.
Defeat means Barcelona and Real Madrid – who have won 10 of the past 15 Copas del Rey – are both out of the competition.
Athletic join Real Sociedad, Mallorca and the winner of Thursday’s clash between Atletico Madrid and Sevilla in the semifinals.
Real Sociedad won 2-1 at Celta Vigo on Tuesday while Mallorca knocked out surprise LaLiga leaders Girona 3-2 earlier on Wednesday.
Barca are third in the LaLiga standings on 44 points, eight behind leaders Girona and seven adrift of rivals Real Madrid in second.
The loss will not help to ease the pressure on Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez in a stuttering season.
“I am calm, the most important titles remain,” Xavi told TVE, referring to LaLiga and the Champions League, where Barca will play Napoli in the last-16.
“We tried, I think we competed well against a great team who are very strong at home. I said at the draw that we were unlucky. We had the winning goal with Lamine’s chances, but we can be proud that we tried.”