Athletic sealed a place in the Copa del Rey last 16 with a 3-0 victory over Eibar at Ipurua. The win was powered by a relentless attack led by Iker Muniain, who delivered a standout goal, and Asier Villalibre, who contributed two strikes, with Julen Agirrezabala ensuring the goal stayed secure in the dying minutes. [Citation: Club reports / match notes]
The Cup keeper, often a substitute in league games, denied a key early chance for Eibar with a one-on-one save against Jon Bautista. Villalibre and Muniain applied relentless pressure in a first half played out in front of a vocal home crowd.
Gernika’s nicknamed “Buffalo” opened and closed the scoring with two precise finishes from the center forward position. The first was opportunistic; the second arrived through a fortunate sequence aided by Muniain, finishing with a left-footed strike in the corner. The execution reflected Athletic’s composed approach and clinical finishing in the cup tie. [Citation: Match analysis / local sports desk]
Today marked a second straight away win and extended Athletic’s run to 12 matches without defeat, nine wins and three cup results included in that stretch. [Citation: Team press release]
Manager Joseba Etxeberria and Ernesto Valverde each made changes to half of the starting XI compared with their previous fixtures. The move underscored a strategy to rotate and reward squad depth while maintaining competitive intensity in the cup.
The coaching focus on Iker Muniain and Asier Villalibre was clear, alongside a nod to players who had seen fewer minutes in the league. The visitors began with evident intent, pressing high and trying to impose their rhythm from the outset. Yet the early moment of the match came from the hosts, as Aketxe guided a ball to Jon Bautista, who faced Agirrezabala one-on-one before the cup tie found its opening justification. It was a reminder that Eibar would not wilt easily, even as Athletic struck first.
Athletic survived that initial spell and then pressed home the advantage with precision. Nico Williams created the first real danger on the flank, and Villalibre converted a well-worked set piece to make it 1-0. The visitors were quick to respond with a counterpunch, but the move was decisively blocked, and the team’s defense held firm as the clock moved toward halftime.
Relentless pressure followed after the interval, culminating in a superb goal from Muniain that showcased his drive from the midfield to the edge of the box and finish with surgical composure into the far corner. The buildup featured a strong sequence that involved Williams and Villalibre, illustrating the cohesion of Athletic’s attacking trio. Scores remained tight until the third goal arrived, with Villalibre finishing decisively after a well-placed cross from Vivian that found his path to the net.
The third tally arrived as Eibar sought to respond, but a well-timed block and a fortunate deflection kept the scoreline in favor of the visitors. The late moments of the match saw a few more attempts from both sides, with Yoel in goal for Eibar producing several important saves, while Athletic continued to press for additional insurance as stoppage time loomed. [Citation: Official match report]
In the data sheet, Eibar lined up with Yoel in goal, supported by Tejero, Simic, Arbilla, and Berrocal at the back, with Matheus and Jorge Yriarte in midfield and a front line that included Bautista and Aketxe among others. Athletic fielded Agirrezabala in goal, a back four featuring De Marcos, Vivian, Yeray, and Yuri, and a midfield trio supported by Vesga and Sancet, with Muniain, Nico Williams, and Villalibre leading the attack. The final result reflected Athletic’s efficiency: Villalibre opened the scoring, Muniain added a second, and Villalibre sealed the win with a late third. [Citation: Official match sheet]
Officials noted cautions for Berrocal and Vivian, reflecting a competitive but controlled fixture. The Copa del Rey tie was played in a near-capacity Ipurua, with approximately eight thousand spectators watching a decisive performance that kept Athletic on track in the knockout rounds. [Citation: Referee and attendance report]