The road to the first final (VII): Granada CF (2nd leg)
The road to the first final (VII): Granada CF (2nd leg)
Athletic were on the ropes as Granada took a 2-0 lead, but Yuri scored the away goal which booked Athletic’s place in the final
Athletic Club booked their place in the final in the most dramatic way at Los Cármenes. With ten minutes to go and the Lions 2-1 down, it seemed the Lions would fall at the final hurdle. But the players kept faith and stuck it. In the 81st minute, left-back Yuri Berchiche scored the all-important away goal to secure Athletic’s place in the final.
The atmosphere in Granada was formidable and the Andalusians started the match on the front foot. Athletic were in a tight spot, unable to play in the same manner as in the first leg at San Mamés. During the first half, Athletic’s lead gave them a certain cushion, but Carlos Fernández put Granada ahead at the start of the second half.
With the tension growing, Granada went 2-0 up (2-1 on aggregate) after Germán finished past Unai Simón in the 76th minute. There were just 15 minutes left and Athletic would be knocked out if they couldn’t find the away goal.
Yuri kept making powerful runs down the left flank and Athletic began to gain some momentum. A smart passing move between Mikel Vesga and Iñigo Martínez, unleashed Yuri who was charging into the box where he drilled a low finish beyond Rui Silva, sending Athletic through to the final.