A thrilling encounter unfolded at Las Gaunas on January 4, 2025, as Athletic Club edged out UD Logroñés in the round of 32 of the Copa del Rey, winning 4-3 on penalties after 120 minutes of goalless football.
With the atmosphere electric, the match kicked off at 21:30, drawing over 15,577 fans eager to see if the minnows of Logroñés could topple the defending champions. Athletic Club, led by Ernesto Valverde, came to the match riding high on their unbeaten streak of 14 games, including impressive victories against notable teams such as Real Madrid and numerous successes in the Europa League.
Logroñés, under the guidance of Sergio Rodríguez, had also been carving their path through the competition, having eliminated teams like Eibar and Girona with solid defensive performances, not conceding any goals during regular time prior to facing Athletic Club. Prior to this showdown, they had only lost two matches all season, showcasing their resilience.
Both teams seemed cautiously optimistic during the first half, with Athletic enjoying much of the possession but facing off against the steely defense of Logroñés, with Monreal at the forefront. Despite several attempts from Athletic, including efforts from Djaló and Guruzeta, they were unable to breach the Logroñés goal. Particularly, Nico Williams’s late efforts could not find their mark as he faced strong opposition from the home side.
Coming back after the break, Athletic continued to press, sparking expectations of goals. Still, Logroñés managed to maintain their composure, showcasing their tactical prowess and forcing the match toward extra time. The 30 additional minutes also failed to see any goals, frustrating both teams as they battled fatigue and the relentless schedule.
When the penalties came, the dramatic tension was palpable. Athletic started the shootout, but Nico Williams missed his penalty, raising concern among the traveling fans. Yet, the team's resolve held firm as Julen Agirrezabala, their goalkeeper, made a pivotal save against Gualda from Logroñés, shifting the momentum back to Athletic. With both teams trading successes and failures, the shootout reached its climax.
Finally, it was Unai Gómez who stepped up with the final penalty kick, converting it decisively to seal the game at 4-3 for Athletic. His shot sent the faithful Athletic fans jubilantly celebrating, ensuring their passage to the next round of Copa del Rey.
This result sets up Athletic for their upcoming challenge against Barcelona, underscoring the need to balance squad rotation and match fitness amid their demanding fixtures. While Logroñés showed immense potential and grit, their cup run came to end amid applause from their supporters, who recognized their significant effort against the reigning champions.
Reflecting on the match later, coach Ernesto Valverde articulated the necessity of respect for each opponent, praising Logroñés’s formidable game. On the other side, Sergio Rodríguez expressed pride, noting, "We wanted to compete and thank the fans for their support". Indeed, both teams left the field with ambitions to carry on their respective journeys for this season.