Real Madrid, despite being ousted from the cup competition, remain on top of La Liga, four points away from their nearest rival Sevilla
By Dami Oshodi
Real Madrid have lost 1-0 to Athletic Club in the quarterfinals of the 2022 Copa Del Rey.
In the game played at the Estadio San Mames on Thursday, the lone goal which sealed the game was scored by Spanish winger Álex Berenguer and was scored in the 89th minute of play.
Madrid failed to clear the ball on three occasions and eventually they were punished for it. Berenguer received the ball on the edge of the box, turned inside, and struck powerfully into the bottom corner.
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Athletic Club’s goal came 8 minutes after Real’s midfielder Casemiro found himself one-on-one with Agirrezabala, but failed to find the back of the net.
Nacho captained the Real Madrid side, with Asensio, Rodrygo and Vinicius entrusted to fill the absence of Karim Benzema upfront, as the Frenchman was unavailable to play due to a muscular strain.
Athletic Club, with veterans Raul Garcia and Muniain in from the start, fielded a familiar line-up.
Athletic Club knocked out FC Barcelona in the Round of 16, beating the Catalans 3-2 in extra time. The Basque club, along with Rayo Vallecano, Real Betis, and Valencia are now in the semifinals of the tourney. The draw for the semi-finals will be held on 4 February 2022.
