Inaki Williams’ Stoppage-Time Heroics Fire Athletic Club into Copa del Rey Last Four
Athletic Club snatched a dramatic late victory at Mestalla as Ghanaian forward Inaki Williams struck in the dying seconds to seal a 2–1 win over Valencia and secure a place in the Copa del Rey semi-finals.
With extra time looming, Williams emerged from the bench to deliver the decisive moment in the 96th minute. Meeting a driven low cross from his brother Nico, the striker showed sharp instincts inside the box, guiding the ball home from close range to stun the home supporters.
The contest had swung back and forth throughout an intense evening in Valencia. Athletic broke the deadlock midway through the first half in unusual circumstances when Umar Sadiq, under heavy pressure, inadvertently turned a cross into his own net from close range.
Sadiq, however, responded swiftly to his earlier misfortune. The Nigerian forward redeemed himself nine minutes later, rising above his marker to power in a header following a well-worked delivery from Hugo Duro, restoring parity before the interval.
After the break, both teams searched for control as the tempo fluctuated. Athletic came agonisingly close to reclaiming the lead in the 75th minute, but Mikel Jauregizar failed to convert from the penalty spot, with Valencia’s goalkeeper producing a crucial save to keep the tie level.
Valencia sensed an opportunity late on and committed numbers forward in pursuit of a winner. That ambition proved costly. In the final moments, Nico Williams burst down the left on the counterattack and calmly squared for Inaki, who made no mistake with the last kick of the game.
The victory sends Athletic Club into the semi-finals and shifts their focus back to domestic action. Ernesto Valverde’s side return to LaLiga duties on Sunday, February 8, when they welcome Levante to San Mamés, buoyed by another memorable night led by the Williams brothers.
