KEY POINTS

  • Barcelona were knocked out of Copa del Rey on Thursday
  • They lost 3-2 to Bilbao in Round of 16
  • Bilbao earned a penalty in the injury-time

Ansu Fati left the pitch in tears after suffering an injury during FC Barcelona’s 3-2 loss to Athletic Bilbao in Copa del Rey’s Round of 16 on Thursday.

Barca trailed 2-1 towards the end but managed to pull the match to extra-time with Pedri’s 93rd-minute equalizer. However, Muniain's 106th-minute penalty, following a handball from Barca veteran defender Jordi Alba, meant Barcelona – the most successful team in the competition – were knocked out of the 2021-22 edition.

The 19-year-old winger, who has had injury problems since his senior debut in the 2019-20 season, came off the bench in the second half. But Fati lasted on the field only for 35 minutes as he sustained a hamstring injury during the extra time and was substituted.

Fati pulled up while chasing the ball and looked distraught while walking off the field as he broke into tears. He was seen crying while hugging his boss Xavi Hernandez, who gave an update on Fati’s injury after the match.

"Tomorrow we will see [about the extent of the injury]. He has been affected, but tomorrow we will see the diagnosis," Xavi told reporters, according to Goal.

Fati, who played for Barcelona’s first team even before representing the club’s reserves, has so far skipped a total of 65 matches for the club since his maiden campaign, which saw him miss over a year of action between 2020 and 2021.

Barcelona suffered a double injury blow on Thursday as Pedri followed Fati off the field.

Ansu Fati (R) is leading the next generation of young Barcelona talents.
Ansu Fati (R) is leading the next generation of young Barcelona talents. AFP / LLUIS GENE

The equalizer against Bilbao was Pedri’s first goal of the season. After the game, Xavi confirmed that along with Pedri, even veteran defender Jordi Alba had picked up a knock.

Xavi also praised the opponents saying, Bilbao defended very well with great intensity.

“I think Athletic played a great game. It was difficult for us to progress. They defended very well, with enormous intensity. They were superior in duels. They were very strong to me. It was difficult for us. Pedri’s goal gave us wings for extra time, but then came the fateful penalty. We tried, but things didn’t work out for us. But we have no choice but to continue believing in this project. We have to believe in La Liga and the Europa League. I don’t know any other way to do the job,” Xavi told after the match, according to Marca.com.

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