Athletic Club - Granada CF
SF
Cup

Athletic Club - Granada CF

Athletic Club
Athletic Club
10
Granada CF
Granada CF
  • 42' Muniain

LocationSan Mamés , Bilbo

48.149 assistants

Athletic earn an advantage that should have been greater

The Lions defeat Granada 1-0 in the Copa semi-final first leg with a goal from Muniain, but disagree with the decision to rule out Capa’s goal in the second half

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Athletic Club defeated Granada 1-0 in the semi-final first leg, with a goal from Muniain, but their jump into the final has been hampered by what they consider a wrongly-disallowed goal for Williams’ irregular position, far enough from the shot so as not to distract Rui Silva, who did not even complain when the 2-0 was scored. VAR asked Hernández Hernández to review the play when nobody was expecting it, and the referee disallowed the goal.

The people at San Mamés did not understand the refereeing decisions. Dani García, suspended for the second leg, was booked for his first foul. Machís, in his same situation, was not booked after two similar tackles. It is also true that Soldado will not be able to play in Granada after a clear foul was punished with a yellow card.

Gaizka Garitano’s side were superior to the team from Granada, who gave a first warning to a splendid Simón through a shot from Yangel Herrera. Little by little, the hosts were creating more and more chances. An angled shot from Williams was deflected by Rui Silva, although the corner-kick was not signalled. Vesga enjoyed two opportunities, the second of which was very clear, but the Portuguese goalkeeper stopped him both times. Athletic increased the number of chances with another chip from Yuri.

And they finally netted the first goal on 41 minutes. Hernández Hernández applied an advantage rule that was revoked when Athletic lost the ball. Dani García took Granada’s defence by surprise, setting up Williams who, although the visitors claimed an arm was used, controlled the ball and served it on a plate for Muniain to score. We had to wait for VAR to confirm…

The second half began with a goal from Yeray that was rightly disallowed, a counter-attack that Williams sent over the bar, and the polemic goal that would have allowed Athletic to ride the crest of the wave. Rui Silva responded to Iñaki, and Simón made two fine saves against Neva and Víctor Díaz. Despite the win, which gives Athletic the temporary lead, both the supporters and the team went home feeling indignant.