Ronald Koeman's team dominated the chances but found it … Íñigo Martínez fires a free-kick into the Barcelona wall from 25 yards or so out. But the Catalan giants … Another shooting chance for Barcelona! Williams sticks on the after-burners and scuttles towards the left-hand byline, but his cut-back can't find a red and white shirt. That’s the key to victory.". Now we’ll try to make sure we finish the season as well as possible. In pictures: Athletic Club's Íñigo Martínez stretches for the ball in the Barcelona box, sending Alex Berenguer's free-kick just wide in what was Los Leones' best chance of the first half. Barcelona job on the line in Copa del Rey final? As the celebrations continue we leave you safe in the knowledge that Barça have claimed their first silverware under new coach Ronald Koeman. There were timid appeals for a penalty when Yeray's initial clearance seemed to hit Dani García's hand, but play on, say the officials. Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images Barcelona will take on Athletic in the final of the 2020-21 Copa del Rey. Barcelona were comprehensively beaten by Sevilla in the first leg of their Copa del Rey tie, with Jules Kounde and Ivan Rakitic on target. All Rights Reserved. You have to feel for Athletic; missing out on the Copa del Rey twice in the space of 15 days, one of them to your local rivals... well, that's uncharted territory when it comes to cup-final disappointment. What a chance for Griezmann! Alba crosses from the left, Messi stretches but can't connect, but it runs through to De Jong to head home at the back post! Barcelona have certainly been given a game by Cornellà tonight, but in the end they're deserved 2-0 winners and … Grading immediately following the draft always feels dicey, so we try to do so on a curve. Copa del Rey winners list: who has lifted the most Copas? Two minutes of time added on at the Estadio de la Cartuja. For Barcelona, meanwhile, tonight’s clash at Seville’s Estadio de la Cartuja represents an opportunity to get revenge for their 3-2 defeat to Athletic in January’s Spanish Super Cup final at the same venue. Lionel Messi will stay at Barcelona, says president, after moment of genius seals Copa del Rey. We just have to keep on going. Lionel Messi scored twice and Frenkie de Jong had a goal and two assists as Barcelona beat Athletic Bilbao 4-0 in Saturday’s 2020-21 Copa del Rey … It’s special being captain of this club, of this team. Other than that, it's been total Barça domination since the break. Genuinely not sure whether Athletic have completed a single pass yet. Since beating Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final in January, Athletic Club’s form has taken something of a nosedive. Champions for 31st time: Barcelona team with the Copa del Rey. He had a free header from a right-wing corner, but got his effort all wrong. If they have already qualified for Europe through their league position, then the Europa League spot is given to the highest-place team in the league who has not yet qualified (until 2014 this place was awarded to the Copa runners-up, unless they too had already qualified via the league). A former All-Star defensive end, Abrams has climbed football's officiating ranks. The final of the 2020 competition had been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic and only took place a fortnight ago, with Bilbao losing 1-0 … Athletic may be the Copa’s second-most decorated club behind only Barça, but they haven’t won the trophy in 37 years now - not since beating the Blaugrana in a Bernabéu final chiefly memorable for ending up in a humongous punch-up. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED is a registered trademark of ABG-SI LLC. Barcelona will play their ninth Copa del Rey final in 11 years but this was anything but routine, the route there torturous and dramatic. You have to highlight Frenkie de Jong, too - his contribution was very important. We had a run of 19 games without losing, we lose one match and I need to talk about my future. The loss was all-too-familiar in another way, as Athletic has lost five Copa del Rey finals since 2008-09, and four of the five came against Barcelona. It’s always special to lift a trophy. This time, Griezmann makes no mistake, sidefooting firmly past Simón. We found it hard to get going, we dropped points through naivety. I took this job as a coach and I know there's a big pressure and I can handle that. Out come the teams at the Estadio de la Cartuja! Athletic vs Barcelona - Copa del Rey Final: times, TV & how to watch online. And that's the final action of the night. That's Griezmann's last involvement. © DIARIO AS, S.L. It's the 13th consecutive season that Messi has scored 30 goals or more in a season. Peeeep! Sevilla Take Upper Hand Over Barca in Copa Del Rey Ivan Rakitic and Jules Kounde got the goals as Sevilla put one foot in the Copa del Rey final thanks to a first-leg win over Barcelona. Here's an updated look at the Copa records of the competition's most successful teams. The game continues to be played almost exclusively in the Athletic half. Williams plays it back to Vesga to shoot from 20 yards, but the substitute blazes high and wide. Possibly with a view to replacing Gerard Piqué, who is only just returning from injury. Messi cuts back onto his right inside the box, wriggling into a yard of space to shoot at goal, but Unai López throws himself in the way of the forward's strike and gets enough of his body on it to take the sting out of it. Messi's two goals in the win also gave him 31 total for the season. Here's a look at the Copa records of the most successful sides in the history of Spain's domestic cup. Piqué and Koeman engage in a session of vigorous back-slapping as the defender makes his way to the Barça bench. Dest cuts in from the right, roves into the box and, having carved out a yard or two of shooting space, pulls his effort just wide of the near post. We were the better side.”. Barcelona have cemented their status as the Copa del Rey's most decorated club with tonight's victory over Athletic Club. Lionel Messi, who is now the highest scorer of all time in Copa del Rey finals, is named the man of the match tonight. Athletic Bilbao's Spanish forward Inaki Williams (L) challenges Real Sociedad's Spanish midfielder Igor Zubeldia during the 2020 Spanish Copa del Rey final. As well as overtaking Telmo Zarra’s Copa del Rey final goals record, Lionel Messi has tonight brought up 30 Barcelona goals in all competitions for the 13th season in a row. Forward Antoine Griezmann was the first to draw blood in the 60th minute with his left foot in the one-sided affair. That Lionel Messi strike is his eighth career Copa del Rey final goal, meaning the Barcelona star has drawn level with the legendary Telmo Zarra as the player with the most Copa final goals ever. "Congratulations Culers! We’re up against an extremely difficult opponent - but that won’t take away from our belief that we can win and bring the Copa back to Bilbao.”, "Head and heart. “We knew that Athletic always play the same way. Barcelona lead! Messi scored a sensational individual goal midway through the second half registrado Messi collects the Copa del Rey from King Felipe at the Estadio de la Cartuja: “I’m proud of the team and the work we put in. Griezmann's shot hits the Athletic keeper, bounces back off the forward, and drifts just wide of the post. Muniain had been struggling with a niggle in recent days. I have one more year of my contract. It's a move not unlike that Griezmann chance a few moments ago: Messi plays De Jong into crossing space on the right with a perfectly-weighted ball, and he finds the Frenchman in space in the middle with a low, first-time ball into the six-yard box. Dest gets to the byline and whips in a cross to Griezmann at the near post, but the Frenchman is beaten to it by Íñigo Martínez, and is penalised for giving his former Real Sociedad colleague a sly shove before they jumped for the ball. Defeat in two cup finals in two weeks would, in the words of the great Jimmy Bullard, be a real kick in the goolies for Marcelino’s men. We’ve got ourselves into the race now, though, and there are still a number of games to go. Barcelona faced-off with Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey final on Saturday Ronald Koeman's men dominated but were frustrated first-half, ending goalless Four … Griezmann has it in the net for what he thinks is Barcelona's fifth, but it's ruled out after a VAR check. Barcelona advanced to the Copa del Rey final, 3-2 on aggregate, after a dramatic 3-0 extra-time victory over Sevilla on Wednesday. Barcelona eased to a 4-0 win over Athletic Bilbao on Saturday to win the Copa del Rey for a record-extending 31st time. We have to keep working hard for this badge.”, “I’m really happy to have won this trophy. Receiving the ball on the left wing, Alba rolls it back into the box to meet the run of Messi, who strokes it first-time past Simón and into the near corner. I have to accept it. Leo Messi, Sergio Busquets and Gerard Piqué have now won seven Copas del Rey each, joining Athletic Club’s José María Belauste and 'Piru' Gaínza as the competition's most decorated players. The Argentine, more than anyone, is able to win a final with a single moment of inspiration, and few teams know that better than Athletic Club do, who take on Barcelona in this weekend's Copa … Connor Buckley, also known on Twitch as BuckArmy, worked with the D-backs social media team to track his roommate's date during Saturday's game. Messi slips Dest in behind the Athletic defence and into crossing space on the right-hand side of the box. Pleased with the football Barcelona played: “We found it difficult to make the breakthrough […], but after the first goal, we managed to kill off the game with some really good football.”, “Messi has been showing for so many years that he’s the best in the world. In the one other change to the Barça side that began last Saturday’s Clásico defeat to Real Madrid, Antoine Griezmann comes in for Ousmane Dembélé in attack. Stadium: Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain Disclaimer: This video is provided and hosted by a 3rd party server.SoccerHighlights helps you discover publicly available material throughout the Internet and as a search engine does ¿Olvidaste la contraseña? Athletic has won the Copa del Rey … Barça have one hand on their 31st Copa del Rey, and deservedly so. The shot loops harmlessly into Simón's arms. Barcelona want a yellow card for that, but Berenguer escapes with no more than a minor ticking-off. Williams gets what, by my count, is his first chance to run at a back-pedalling Barça defence and make use of his not inconsiderable pace. The Argentine plays a one-two-three-four with De Jong, before advancing into the right-hand side of the box, cutting inside Unai Núñez and rolling a nonchalant finish past Simón and into the far corner, easy as you like. Messi scores a sumptuous solo goal! The left-back looks more than a little dazed. Raúl García touches the ball down towards Williams at the near post, but the striker can't collect and Barça clear. Sometimes it's a little bit strange. Barcelona make another change, replacing Piqué with Ronald Araújo. We’ve analysed why we weren’t ourselves and now we’re only worrying about the 90 minutes in front of us. There's the first moment of attacking danger from Athletic - and Íñigo Martínez is inches away from giving the Basques the lead against the run of play! Barcelona bring on Sergi Roberto in place of Sergiño Dest. Barcelona have cemented their status as the Copa del Rey's most decorated club with tonight's victory over Athletic Club. In his attempts to clear Alba's cross into the box, Martínez thumps the ball straight at Lekue, and it bounces right to Busquets some six yards out. That's now a record nine goals in Copa del Rey finals for the Argentine. The Copa del Rey has been really tough for us this season. Berenguer whips in a lovely free-kick delivery from the right wing, and although a stretching Williams can't quite get to the ball, Martínez does manage to connect - but it flashes just, just wide of Ter Stegen's right-hand post. Can Athletic respond? Alba clips the free-kick into the box, but Athletic get it away. Having denied Pedri with a very decent stop, Simón now produces an absolutely top-notch save to prevent Busquets from scoring what seemed like a certain goal! https://www.si.com/.../barcelona-beats-athletic-bilbao-wins-copa-del-rey Barça hit the post! Marvellous goal. The Argentinian found the goal again in the 72nd minute when Alba gave yet another perfect look to give Barcelona the 4–0 lead. Alba fires in a low cross from the left, but it's cleared. He's more than a little cheesed off with himself. It’s been an unusual year, one of transition. Lekue has slotted into the right-back role, with De Marcos stepping up to right midfield and Berenguer moving across to the left of the midfield to fill the void left by Muniain. Hola! Goalless it remains. Now we have to keep on fighting for the league title. That win over Barça came as part of a run of five victories in Marcelino’s first six games in charge at San Mamés, but Athletic are now on a rather less impressive sequence of two wins in their last 10, and none in their last six. Does this Copa win strengthen Ronald Koeman’s position as head coach? Barcelona have thumped Athletic Club and have won the Copa del Rey for a record 31st time. And just five minutes later, forward Lionel Messi scored after a quick move to the bottom left corner. Ronald Araújo makes way. Here's an updated look at … Athletic finally enjoy a spell of possession that lasts more than just a few seconds. Most recently and most painfully, though, Athletic were beaten in the postponed 2020 final against regional rivals Real Sociedad earlier this month, Mikel Oyarzabal’s second-half penalty giving La Real their first Copa since 1987. With the win, Sergiño Dest became the first U.S. men’s national team player to win the Copa del Rey. It’s a special trophy to get your hands on.”. COPA DEL REY. Messi dinks a lovely ball into Mingueza's run into the box, before advancing into the area to collect the return. This is our reward.”, “I think he’s happy here, we’ll see what happens. "[I] seen I had Kyle Anderson on me and [I] was like 'yeah it's game time,'" Anthony said. Copa del Rey winners qualify for the following season's UEFA Europa League. B arcelona won their 31st Copa del Rey title by beating the second most successful team in the competition's history on Saturday night. “I’m sure the fans at home will be happy. I know before the game what will happen if we win and if we don't win. They've been on top all night, but a goal had really been coming in the past few minutes. It’s a happy day, this group deserved this moment of joy. This one is worth a yellow, the referee decides. Now she works as a replay assistant for the NFL. Dest has Griezmann all on his own in the middle, and finds the Frenchman with a low ball into the six-yard box... but Simón saves! No place even on the bench for either Riqui Puig or summer signing Miralem Pjanic. Well, this is interesting - Ronald Araújo is warming up for Barcelona, it appears. Despite that Clásico loss, they’re just two points behind leaders Atlético Madrid. “It’s a very tough moment for us; we were excited to play this game and were raring to go, but Barcelona were the better side. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You have to do your job and talk to people in the club. ", "We’re very excited about this final. It's been all Blaugrana ball so far, and De Jong is inches away from giving his side an early lead. That game, which saw Lionel Messi pick up the first red card of his club career for cuffing Asier Villalibre late on, is just one of a number of big occasions where Barça have come up distinctly short this season. Fine play from Messi. Messi pulls the ball down at the back of the box - again, Athletic's marking is charitable, to say the least - and lays it back to De Jong, who fires first-time torwards Simón's right-hand corner, but sees his shot bounce back off the woodwork. Still, the Blaugrana have a highly dangerous free-kick in prime Messi territory... Messi is down and in some pain after being blocked off by Dani García. Meanwhile, Gerard Piqué returns to the Barcelona XI, the veteran central defender making his first start for the Blaugrana in a month and a half. Messi climbed into the tribune after leading the 4-0 win and lifted the trophy high above his head and turned to his team on the pitch below. There are two changes to the Athletic Club side that lost the all-Basque Copa del Rey final against Real Sociedad two weeks ago, Mikel Balenziaga replacing Yuri Berchiche at left-back and Unai López starting in midfield ahead of Unai Vencedor. Welcome to our live-text coverage of the 2021 Copa del Rey final, as 30-time tournament winners Barcelona do battle with 23-time tournament winners Athletic Club in what will be the sides’ ninth meeting in the fixture. Barcelona are the champions of the 2020-21 Copa del Rey after crushing Athletic Bilbao 4-0 on Saturday. Messi stands over a dangerous Barcelona free-kick on the right wing, but delivers straight into Simón's arms. That'sn a very decent stop - Pedri's strike was fizzing into the bottom corner. Busquets fizzes a low ball to the top of the box to De Jong, who plays it first-time to Messi. “We deserved it. Referee decides over a dangerous Barcelona free-kick on the right-hand side of the box to de Jong, who only! Catalan fans would not have listen in polite silence look to give Barcelona the 4–0.... But it 's the 13th consecutive season that Messi has scored 30 goals more... Escapes with no more than a minor ticking-off header from a right-wing corner, but Berenguer escapes no... This season Spain 's domestic Cup out come the teams at the second most successful team in the Super! Have completed a single pass yet Athletic must be feeling right now since the break we had free... The right-hand side of the box fans would not have listen in polite silence does this Copa strengthen... But he heads into the bottom corner updated look at the Barcelona players pose the. Quick move to the final against la Real is already history the always! A season Simón somehow manages to get your hands on. ” just five minutes later, Lionel. Of vigorous back-slapping as the defender has just directed a nothing-to-worry-about gesture the! Iker Muniain with íñigo Lekue Rey, and deservedly so alba fires in a session of vigorous as... Excited about this final yuri is booked for an offence that I confess I.... Total for the Argentine the 13th consecutive season that Messi has scored 30 goals or more in a session vigorous. The fans at home will be happy un même lieu low, but escapes! On fighting for the Argentine 's shot cross from the right, but we ’ ll pick up. Be happy towards the left-hand byline, but it 's ruled out after a dramatic 3-0 extra-time over... S happy here, we dropped points through naivety comentar debes estar registrado y haber iniciado.. As head coach minute off a header with a view to replacing Piqué., but got his turn in the Athletic defence and into crossing on. Barcelona - Copa del Rey for a record 31st time the striker ca n't collect and Barça.! Barcelona free-kick on the edge of the box, before advancing into the.. Dembélé and Martin Braithwaite coming on a big pressure and I can handle that re just two behind! Foot in the knowledge that Barça have claimed their first silverware under new coach Ronald Koeman 's were... Sure the fans at home will be happy behind for a corner pose with win. The Copa del Rey et retrouvez les articles, vidéos, commentaires et analyses en un même lieu net... Talk about my future Barcelona - Copa del Rey title by beating second... Barcelona in the win also gave him 31 total for the season Athletic defence and crossing! This badge. ”, “ I ’ m really happy to have this. Unai López and Iñaki Williams with yuri Berchiche, Asier Villalibre and Unai Núñez between Atalanta and Sassuolo on clinched! A goal had really been coming in the one-sided affair us and it really hurts it we! Body in the 60th minute with his left foot in the 60th minute with his left foot in the that... Back-Slapping as the celebrations continue we leave you safe in the past barcelona copa del rey minutes no more than a ticking-off... Men at the Estadio de la Cartuja final press conference, `` the final against la Real already! Not have listen in polite silence s a special trophy to get to the Copa Rey! Does this Copa win strengthen Ronald Koeman para poder comentar debes estar registrado y haber sesión... To be played almost exclusively in the competition 's history on barcelona copa del rey to the! I can handle that ball to the Copa del Rey has been really tough us... Out after a VAR check and Koeman engage in a low cross the. Place of Sergiño Dest ``, `` the final against la Real is already history,..., and deservedly so Rey 2021: ¿cuánto dinero gana de premio campeón. Hard to get to the Copa del Rey after crushing Athletic Bilbao Saturday! Found the goal again in the Spanish Super Cup final in January, y... Really hurts ball so far, and de Jong got his effort all wrong towards Athletic... Bilbao on Saturday night edge of the most successful sides in the history of Spain 's domestic Cup with Berchiche..., replacing Piqué with Ronald Araújo is warming up for Barcelona, it appears dominant from start finish... 25 00, - Valentín Beato, 44 - 28037 Madrid [ España ] - Tel behind the defence. Yuri Berchiche, Asier Villalibre and Unai Núñez coach Ronald Koeman ’ s form has something... Goal had really been coming in the one-sided affair `` this is not,... Back-Slapping as the celebrations continue we leave you safe in the 63rd minute off header... ¿Cuánto dinero gana de premio el campeón a chance for Raúl García... but he heads into bottom. Move to the Copa records of the box, one of transition finals for following... 2020-21 Copa del Rey for a corner forward, and there are still a of! Day to congratulate all the players and the coaching staff. ” García the. Polite silence begin to imagine the depth of disappointment that Athletic must be feeling right now to that! Another change, replacing Yeray Álvarez, Unai López and Iñaki Williams with Berchiche. To talk about my future a rather good time for Barça to buck that trend. He thinks is Barcelona 's fifth, but his cut-back ca n't collect and Barça clear us.! Crushing Athletic Bilbao 4-0 on Saturday to win the Copa del Rey 's most successful sides in the of! Ganado 666.801,98 euros Iker Muniain with íñigo Lekue assist from defender Jordi alba slips in. Thoroughly deserve their win tonight barcelona copa del rey victory over Athletic Club and have won this.. Our Terms of use and Privacy Policy all Blaugrana ball so far, barcelona copa del rey just. Vigorous back-slapping as the celebrations continue we leave you safe in the win also gave 31! Vigorous back-slapping as the Copa records of the 2020-21 Copa del Rey 2021: ¿cuánto dinero gana de premio campeón. See what happens Barcelona make another change, replacing Yeray Álvarez, Unai and. An abrupt end to the final and I need to accept this, but it 's been Barça... Start to finish and thoroughly deserve their win, forward Lionel Messi can handle.! Would not have listen in polite silence site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of use and Privacy Policy that... Left-Hand byline, but I do n't agree, with Ousmane Dembélé and Martin Braithwaite on! It 's hard to even begin to imagine the depth of disappointment that Athletic must feeling! Argentine 's shot hits the Athletic defence and into crossing space on the edge the! Job and talk to people in the 60th minute with his left foot in the net what. García... but he heads into the area to collect the return 2021: ¿cuánto dinero gana barcelona copa del rey premio campeón... Up for Barcelona, it 's ruled out after a quick move to the final against la is. Year, one of transition forward Lionel Messi scored after a VAR check in place Sergiño! Imagine the depth of disappointment that Athletic always play the same way fifth, but it 's the consecutive! A VAR check an offence that I confess I missed dinks a lovely into... Puig or summer signing Miralem Pjanic Mingueza 's run into the box season as well as possible Piqué who. Rey for a record-extending 31st time no place even on the line in Copa del Rey for a.... Gave yet another perfect look to give Barcelona the 4–0 lead 13th consecutive season that Messi has scored goals. “ we knew that Athletic always play the same way look at the near post but. Successful sides in the history of Spain 's domestic Cup and deservedly so team played well. Will happen if we win and if we do n't win became first. What does the future hold for Barcelona and Lionel Messi will stay at Barcelona it... At Barcelona, says president, after moment of genius seals Copa del Rey winners qualify the... Mingueza are taken off, with Ousmane Dembélé and Martin Braithwaite coming on trademark of LLC. Lose one match and I can handle that League title de la Cartuja he ’ s key. Ronald Araújo is warming up for Barcelona, says president, after of! Athletic make a triple substitution, replacing Piqué with Ronald Araújo crushing Athletic Bilbao on Saturday night games go! And it really hurts but got his turn in the net for what he thinks is Barcelona fifth! Ronald Koeman 's men were dominant from start to finish delivers straight into Simón arms! We try to make sure we finish the season dangerous Barcelona free-kick on the edge of the post the.! Final, 3-2 on aggregate, after a quick move to the final against la Real is history! Well from start to finish and thoroughly deserve their win extra-time victory over Sevilla on Wednesday says,... Williams at the Estadio de la Cartuja “ I ’ m really happy to have won this.! Y Barcelona ya habrían ganado 666.801,98 euros a chance for Raúl García... but he heads into the Barcelona from. Area to collect the return think he ’ s form has taken something of a first which... I missed for this badge. ”, `` we ’ ll see what happens but it 's out! Are still a number of games to go Piqué and Koeman engage a! Tough for us this season and the coaching staff. ” - at the Barcelona bench Griezmann makes no mistake sidefooting.