Real Madrid knocked out of Copa del Rey after shock loss to Athletic Bilbao in Quarters
Real Madrid’s hopes of securing a Spanish domestic double were dashed on Thursday as Athletic Bilbao scored a sensational 89th-minute victor to knock them out of the Copa del Rey. Alex Berenguer’s amazing strike after a Casemiro mistake was enough to seal a shock 1-0 win at San Mames and send Athletic through to the semi-finals. With Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Sevilla already out, Madrid were firm favourites to win the Copa del Rey while in La Liga, they are in the driving seat as well, sitting four points ahead of Sevilla at the top of the table.
Without Benzema, Madrid lacked any real threat up front and it was a daunting reminder for Ancelotti of his absence of quality options to back up the Frenchman when he needs them.
“We are hurting because we want to win all the competitions,” said Ancelotti.
“We are out and we have two other competitions left and we believe this defeat will not have consequences. This defeat makes us stronger.”
The match was intense and compelling yet coming up short on chances, with neither team able to carve out any golden chances, even if Athletic were the more aggressive overall.
At the point when the decisive moment came, it came from an error as Casemiro’s sloppy pass was cut out by Mikel Vesga, who quickly fed into Berenguer.
He still had work to do yet made the space with a sharp turn away from Nacho Fernandez, prior to burying a wonderful shot past Thibaut Courtois and into the far corner.
