VALENCIA, SPAIN — Deep into the sixth minute of stoppage time, Iñaki Williams delivered the cruelest of blows to Valencia, rifling home from the center of the box to seal a pulsating 2-1 Copa del Rey victory for Athletic Club at Mestalla Stadium. The Basque side's counter-attacking masterclass in the dying seconds broke Los Che hearts and sent the visitors through in dramatic fashion.
The match had been defined by Umar Sadiq's extraordinary evening of contrasting fortunes. The Nigerian striker endured a nightmare start when his 26th-minute own goal handed Athletic the lead, diverting the ball past his own goalkeeper under pressure. Yet Sadiq showed remarkable character to restore parity in the 35th minute, converting from point-blank range to level the contest and seemingly atone for his earlier misfortune.
Valencia controlled proceedings for large stretches, their 52.1% possession advantage reflecting their territorial dominance. The hosts created opportunities throughout, with Luis Rioja forcing Álex Padilla into a smart save in the 12th minute after cutting in from the right. The Athletic goalkeeper positioned himself well to deny Rioja's left-footed effort, a save that would prove crucial in the final reckoning.
The second half descended into a tense tactical battle, with both sides recognizing the stakes. Athletic manager Ernesto Valverde introduced fresh legs, bringing on Nico Williams and Iñaki Williams in the 70th minute for Selton Sánchez and Robert Navarro. The substitutions injected pace and directness into Athletic's attack, though Valencia continued to probe for a winner.
Drama intensified in the 71st minute when César Tárrega was adjudged to have handled in the penalty area following a VAR review. Mikel Jauregizar stepped up in the 75th minute, but Stole Dimitrievski produced a magnificent save, diving low to his left to keep the scores level. The Macedonian goalkeeper's heroics seemed destined to force extra time as Valencia pushed bodies forward in search of a decisive goal.
Dimitri Foulquier came agonizingly close in the 67th minute, striking the right post from six yards after excellent work from Lucas Beltrán. The rebound fell kindly for Athletic, who cleared their lines and absorbed wave after wave of Valencia pressure. The statistics reflected the tight nature of the contest: 12 shots to 11, with both goalkeepers making two saves apiece. Valencia's 13 fouls compared to Athletic's eight illustrated their desperation to disrupt the visitors' rhythm.
The turning point arrived in the 89th minute when Filip Ugrinic sustained an injury, forcing Valencia into a late substitution that disrupted their momentum. Guido Rodríguez entered the fray, but the change broke Valencia's attacking flow at a critical juncture. Athletic sensed vulnerability and retained possession intelligently, waiting for their moment.
That moment materialized in the 96th minute. Nico Williams collected possession on the left flank and drove forward on a devastating counter-attack. His perfectly weighted pass found brother Iñaki Williams racing through the center. The veteran striker needed no second invitation, drilling his right-footed shot low past Dimitrievski into the bottom left corner. Mestalla fell silent as Athletic's players celebrated wildly, their tactical discipline and clinical finishing in transition proving the difference.
The numbers told a story of Valencia's dominance that ultimately counted for nothing. They edged the corner count 4-3 and enjoyed marginally more possession, yet Athletic's efficiency in the final third proved superior. Both teams registered three shots on target from their combined 23 attempts, highlighting the defensive organization on display. Valencia's two yellow cards—shown to Copete in the 88th minute and Diego López in the 97th—reflected their frustration as the match slipped away.
Athletic's recent form suggested they were building momentum, having drawn 1-1 in their previous encounter before this victory. Valencia, meanwhile, had shown resilience with recent wins over Getafe and Burgos, but this defeat will sting given their statistical superiority and the manner of the loss. The hosts created enough chances to win comfortably, with Umar Sadiq's missed opportunity in the 57th minute—firing high and wide from the left—looming large in retrospect.
The tactical adjustments made by both managers shaped the contest's flow. Valencia's substitutions of César Tárrega and Hugo Duro in the 59th minute aimed to shore up their defense and add fresh attacking impetus. Athletic's triple change at the same juncture—introducing Íñigo Ruíz de Galarreta, Gorka Guruzeta, and Yuri Berchiche—demonstrated Valverde's intent to control midfield and provide an outlet in attack. These decisions ultimately favored the visitors, whose bench options proved decisive.
Valencia must dust themselves off before hosting league leaders Real Madrid on February 8, a daunting prospect given this crushing defeat. The psychological impact of surrendering victory so late will test their resilience against Carlo Ancelotti's formidable side. Athletic Club, meanwhile, march on in the Copa del Rey, their dreams of silverware alive thanks to Williams' late heroics and their ability to execute when it mattered most.