In the heart of Madrid, under the glimmering lights that tell tales of dreams and struggles, two brothers, Iñaki and Nico Williams, weaved a story of unity and triumph on the lush green stage of football. Athletic Bilbao, their team, danced through a match that wasn’t just a game but a statement, clinching a 3-0 victory over Atletico Madrid. This wasn’t just any win; it was a golden ticket to the Copa del Rey final, a stage they’ve graced three times in the last five seasons.
Gorka Guruzeta, with a spark in his eyes, found the net too, propelling Athletic to a 4-0 aggregate glory, having already set the tone with a 1-0 win in the first leg in Madrid. The final awaits in Seville on April 6, against Mallorca, a team that edged out Real Sociedad in a nerve-wracking penalty shootout.
Nico, with joy and pride swelling in his heart, dedicated this victory to their parents back in Ghana. “Iñaki and I have been getting along very well”. “This victory goes to my parents who are in Ghana. Ghana will be a party.” he said, a smile painting his face, eyes glistening with the reflection of a dream turning into reality. It's a story of two brothers, born to Ghanaian parents in Spain, breaking barriers at a club steeped in tradition, Athletic Bilbao, where their roots have grown deep into the soil of the Basque Country.
“Nico and I have fought hard to be able to enjoy things like this,” Iñaki reflected, his voice a mix of pride and resolve. It's a celebration, not just of a win, but of a journey, of battles fought both on and off the pitch. “It’s a night to enjoy and to be proud.”
Yet, the night was not without its shadows. Before the match, a clash of passions turned violent, leaving an Atletico supporter hospitalized. And as the second half awaited its start, a solemn pause filled the air when an Athletic fan suffered a cardiac arrest, a stark reminder of the life beyond the game, thankfully not serious in the end.
Athletic Bilbao, with 23 Copa titles to their name, dreams of lifting the trophy once again, a dream that has eluded them since 1984, despite coming close in recent years. Under the guidance of Ernesto Valverde, they've shown resilience, knocking out giants like Barcelona on their path to the final.
For Atletico, led by the spirited Diego Simeone and missing the prowess of Antoine Griezmann due to injury, it was a night of reflection, a moment to acknowledge the brilliance of their opponents. “We couldn’t capitalize on our chances in the first leg, and today they played a very good match and we have to congratulate them,” Simeone conceded.
The Williams brothers, with goals and assists that spoke of their bond, their shared journey from the streets of Bilbao to the grand stages of Spanish football, were the architects of this victory. For Nico, this was a redemption song, a year after the dark clouds of online abuse had forced him into silence. “It’s a dream to make it here, especially after what happened last season,” he said, a testament to the power of resilience, of rising above the noise.
As the final whistle echoed through San Mames, in front of over 52,000 beating hearts, Athletic Bilbao not only secured their spot in the final but also etched a story of unity, perseverance, and hope.
