The champions qualify after palpable tension during a penalty shootout in the first cup scare of 2025. Athletic Club will find out their quarter-final opponent in Saudi Arabia, where they will face FC Barcelona in the semi-finals. -Super Cup final on Wednesday. They will do it with a little fear in mind, because few would have predicted that they would face a team from the Second RFEF. UD Logroñés demonstrated precisely why they previously eliminated Eibar and Girona. The home team played with heart and pride, showcasing an excellent understanding of football, and kept the match alive until the penalty shootout.
The eleven fielded by Athletic in extra time looked like that of a high-stakes match. The best chance in the final minutes fell to Nico Williams (115′), but Kike Royo was equal to it.
Athletic, showing an impeccable series of 25 consecutive eliminations in single matches, added another victory to their table thanks to penalties. It was the same discipline that allowed them to win the title against Mallorca. It was the only way to break the resistance of a UD Logroñés team which had strengthened its game as the minutes ticked by. As before, Agirrezabala shone as a saver, stopping a Gualda shot and watching Sarriegi send his shot beyond the target. The penalty shootout continued until the fifth round as Nico missed his penalty.
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Before the first half ended, UD Logroñés managed to contain Athletic exceptionally well and even posed a threat. The first period ended with a shot from Nájera from distance that Agirrezabala saved. It was the home side’s way of making their presence felt against an Athletic side who had made more forays into the opposition area and shot more often, but lacked precision. Djaló came close to scoring twice, but the most glorious opportunity came in the 20th minute: Guruzeta shone in defense against Riki while Nico Serrano orchestrated a brilliant move which saw Vesga enter the box, but being denied the chance.
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