The first half of the Copa del Rey quarter-finals between Athletic Bilbao and FC Barcelona had everything. Bilbao started things quickly after scoring in the first 40 seconds of the game. Gorka Guruzeta scored the opener of the game, and the San Mamés stadium erupted.
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Robert Lewandowski scored the equalizer for Barcelona after a terrible mistake from the Bilbao defense. Bilbao's Berchiche tries to clear the ball away from the box, but his clearance hits Lewandowski's stretched leg, which deflects into the net.
Six minutes later, Lamine Yamal turned the game around and gave FC Barcelona the lead. The 16-year-old scored a left-footed shot into the bottom left corner by cutting inside and shooting 20 yards out. Yamal was once showing his quality on the pitch at such a young age and was helping Barca to advance to the semifinals of the Copa del Rey.
Athletic Bilbao would score early again but this time in the second half to make it 2-2. Both teams are having chances but struggle to convert them. A moment any Barca fan didn't want to see was Alejandro Balde's injury. Balde joins Gavi, Inigo Martinez, Ter Stegen, Alonso, and Raphinha on the injury list. How serious the injury to Balde is is now known, and he could be out for a while.
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Alejandro Balde could be out for 4-6 weeks, according to close sources with FC Barcelona
According to Diario AS journalist Javi Miguel, Balde's injury could keep the player out for 4-6 weeks. The injury is a hamstring injury, and the player left the pitch in tears after his injury against Athletic Club. Fans at San Mamés gave Balde a standing ovation to support him. Andreas Christensen was also injured in the game and left the pitch in the 70th minute. There are no updates yet on his condition.
