Athletic Bilbao End Barcelona's Incredible 6-Year Copa del Rey Record With First Leg Win

Athletic Bilbao became the first team other than Real Madrid to beat Barcelona in a Copa del Rey match in six years during Thursday night's first leg tie at the Last 16 stage at San Mames.

First half goals from Aritz Aduriz and Inaki Williams gave Athletic Club an early lead, before Lionel Messi pulled a goal back for the cup holders to leave the aggregate score at 2-1.

Barça have won three Copas in the last five seasons, losing to Real in the 2014 final when Gareth Bale scored a late winner, and at the semi-final stage in 2013 as Los Blancos swept to a 3-1 victory at Camp Nou in the decisive second leg. Atletico Madrid lifted the trophy that season.

Prior to Athletic's win this week, no one else had beaten Barça in a Copa del Rey game since Real Betis won 3-1 in the second leg of the quarter final in January of the2010/11 campaign.

Athletic is the first team other than Real Madrid to win a cup game vs Barcelona in 6 years (since Betis-2011)

Jorge Molina and Arzu scored the critical goals for Betis that night, but a 5-0 Barcelona win in the first leg had ensured the result didn't matter and Pep Guardiola's side went on to reach the final.

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