da 888casino： The Spanish champions saw their best chance of silverware this season slip away at San Mames as they threw away a 2-1 lead to lose 4-2

da esoccer bet： The end of the Xavi era at Barcelona could be here. The Blaugrana have lost yet another key game under the former midfielder as they battled Athletic Club for 120 minutes, but were thoroughly outplayed at both ends as they lost 4-2 after extra-time to exit the Copa del Rey at the quarter-finals stage.

Barca endured a miserable start, as Gorka Guruzeta gave the home side the lead inside 60 seconds, volleying home after a manic scramble inside the Barca penalty area. Against the run of play, Xavi's side replied, however, as Robert Lewandowski deflected a loose ball into the net.

Lamine Yamal was excellent throughout, and the teenager gave Barca the lead before half-time goal as the teenager cut onto his left foot and fired a Lionel Messi-esque strike into the bottom corner from outside the box.

Athletic, though, were far from beaten, and equalised shortly after the break, Oihan Sancet nodded home after a well-worked move. Yamal then seemed certain to win it with five minutes remaining, but sliced his shot over the bar after rounding the keeper.

Extra-time was needed to settle things, and Athletic found a wave of energy in the additional half-hour to book a place in the semi-finals, as first Inaki Williams and then brother Nico netted at the end of either half of extra-time.

Having missed out on both domestic cups, a Champions League triumph unlikely and with a mountain to climb in La Liga's title race, has Barca's chance of silveware in 2023-24 now gone? And if so, does that mean Xavi should be too?

GOAL rates Barcelona's players from San Mames…

Getty ImagesGoalkeeper & Defence

Inaki Pena (6/10):

Could do little about any of the goals. Shaky when the ball was in the air, on occasion. Almost redeemed himself with an excellent save in the second half of extra-time.

Jules Kounde (7/10):

Tried in vain to clear the Athletic opener off the line. Steady otherwise – the home side had very little joy down his wing.

Ronald Araujo (8/10):

Effective in the first half, even better in the second. Won his duels and got up for some vital headers. Seemed to suffer a heavy blow to the knee, but played through it. A warrior.

Andreas Christensen (5/10):

Badly out of position on the Athletic opener, and caught watching for the second. Deservedly subbed with 20 minutes to play.

Alejandro Balde (5/10):

Didn't do much before leaving with an injury midway through the first half. Looked a nasty one.

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Frenkie de Jong (8/10):

Calm on the ball for the most part, and masterful in his distribution. Outlept for the second goal – even if he was covering for mishaps elsewhere. This can't be pinned on him.

Ilkay Gundogan (6/10):

As composed as ever in central areas, but didn't do loads with the ball when he had it, which is a credit to the home side's defensive discipline. He's more of a sidekick than a difference-maker right now.

Pedri (5/10):

More up for the fight than in recent weeks, yet offered less on the ball. Unsurprisingly looked tired in extra-time given his lack of minutes of late.

Attack

Lamine Yamal (8/10):

Gave the ball away in the run-up to the Bilbao opener. Redeemed himself with a memorable goal to give Barca a 2-1 lead. A constant nuisance, and could hardly move when he was taken off — he gave everything.

Robert Lewandowski (6/10):

Grabbed his goal, but didn't offer much else. Only three touches in the Athletic Club box, and only had two shots.

Ferran Torres (5/10):

Drifted through the game. Played a key pass in the run up to the Barca equaliser, and offered little else.

Subs & Manager

Hector Fort (8/10):

Entered the game for Balde in the first half. Turned in an excellent performance at the back, full of heart and smarts. He looks a real talent.

Pau Cubarsi (7/10):

Replaced Christensen, and didn't need time to settle. He's too young for these moments, though.

Joao Felix (7/10):

A bright cameo off the bench. Looked like Barca's most apparent threat as the game wore on.

Sergi Roberto (X/10):

Anonymous

Marc Guiu (N/A):

Preferred to Vitor Roque late on, which says a lot.

Xavi (3/10):

Got his team selection mostly right, highlighted by the prudent decision to start Yamal. But Barca were poor, and never created enough to truly threaten. He can have no real gripes about the validity of the scoreline. His team were outplayed. It might be time to go.