Sports Desk, Feb 8 (EFE).- A goal of Alex Berenguer from the spot in the 25th minute was enough for Athletic Club to end Atletico Madrid’s 28-match unbeaten streak at home and take charge of the Copa del Rey semi-final on Wednesday.
Atletico began promisingly at Madrid’s Metropolitano stadium, where they had not lost a game since January 2023, and buoyed on by the support of a sell-out 65,029 spectators, they made things challenging for the visitors.
However, Athletic, the most successful team in the tournament after Barcelona, whom they had knocked out in the quarterfinals, soon began to find their feet in the contest.
A brilliant pass from Gorka Guruzeta to Benat Prados led Reinildo to foul the midfielder in the box midway through the first half, earning the visitors a penalty that eventually settled the game.
Berenguer sent Jan Oblak the wrong way to earn Athletic the lead, which they protected until the final whistle, defying Atletico’s subtle play and their roaring fans.
Inigo Lekue cleared an Angel Correa effort off the line in the second half, while Samuel Lino also missed a chance to equalise for Atletico.
Athletic also could have grabbed their second after Unai Gomez tested Oblak with a long-range effort, but Asier Villalibre could only fire the rebound into the side net.
The return leg of the game will be held in Bilbao on February 29.
The winners of the contest will face either Real Sociedad or Real Mallorca, who played out a goalless draw in their respective first leg on Tuesday.
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