The road to the first final (III): Elche CF
The road to the first final (III): Elche CF
It took a dramatic penalty shootout for Athletic to beat Elche and advance to the next round
Athletic Club visited the Martínez Valero twice in the 2019-20 Copa del Rey, the second time to face Elche CF in the Round of 32. It’s always a special clash as the sides were opponents in the final of the 1969 Copa, which Athletic won.
This was the first time the Lions came up against a LaLiga Smartbank team in the 19-20 edition and, as was the case in the opening fixture of the competition against Intercity CF at the same venue, there were numerous Athletic fans in the stands.
It was a real nailbiter and could have gone either way. Shortly after kick-off, striker Iñaki Williams put Athletic ahead with a well-placed finish. Athletic seemed to have the game in the bag, but the home side, who had been steadily improving, managed to equalise a few minutes before half-time.
The encounter finished 1-1 after 120 minutes of action and went to penalties. Elche took the lead going two ahead in the shootout. But just when all seemed lost, the Lions fought back. Elche missed two penalties and Iago Herrerín stopped another to give Athletic the victory. It was a nerve-racking affair but the Rojiblancos booked a place in the Round of 16, where CD Tenerife awaited.