Granada takes the lead in the second half
Goals from Carlos Fernández and Germán Sánchez put the tie in favor of Granada in the second half, although Yuri Berchiche's goal in the 81st minute sent Athletic to the final.
Athletic recovers from a tough match
The Bilbao team, who won the last of their 23 Copa del Rey titles in 1984, suffered a lot against a brilliant Granada team, who had the pass to the final in their hands, but the Basques recovered when they were against the ropes.
An intense first half
Granada and Athletic offered a first half as equal as it was intense, with Venezuelan Darwin Machís making the goalkeeper Unai Simón work from very early on.
Clear chances for both teams
The visitors grew as the minutes went by and had three clear opportunities after the halfway point of the first half, with Portuguese goalkeeper Rui Silva making an incredible save in the first one, denying Víctor Díaz's own goal header.
The other two were shots from Mikel San José and Raúl García from inside the box, both in a very good position to score but they missed the target.
Iñaki Williams saves the day
Granada came close to scoring just before halftime from a set piece, but Iñaki Williams became the hero for his team by clearing the shot from Venezuelan Yangel Herrera off the line when Unai Simón was beaten.
Granada takes the lead
Granada took the lead in the second half after only two minutes, thanks to a sensational header from Carlos Fernández following a well-placed cross from Machís.
Both teams score
Athletic's response was a shot from Yuri Berchiche from a free kick, while the home team came close to doubling their lead with shots from Germán Sánchez, Carlos Neva, and Machís, all narrowly missing the target.
Late drama but no more goals
With the tie level and extra time looming, neither team took more risks than necessary. Raúl García tried with a header that went over the crossbar, but it was Granada who found success again.
Athletic makes it tense
Machís provided another assist, this time from a corner, and Germán rose above everyone else to score a header and make it 2-0.
Athletic pulls one back
The joy lasted only five minutes for the Andalusians, as Athletic, with Aritz Aduriz on the field, scored through a great shot from Yuri after a perfect through pass from Mikel Vesga.
No more goals in the end
In the final stretch, with Granada pushing for the goal that would take them to the final, there was only danger for the home team in a poorly executed shot by Machís.
Match details:
- Granada CF: Rui Silva; Foulquier (Fede Vico, m.84), Víctor Díaz, Germán, Domingos Duarte, Carlos Neva (Antoñín, m.84); Gonalons, Yangel Herrera (Yan Eteki, m.60); Antonio Puertas, Machís, and Carlos Fernández.
- Athletic Club: Unai Simón; Capa (Ibai, m.59), Yeray, Núñez, Íñigo Martínez, Yuri; San José (Aduriz, m.79), Vesga; Raúl García, Muniain (Sancet, m.92), and Williams.
- Goals: 1-0 (m.48) Carlos Fernández. 2-0 (m.76) Germán. 2-1, (m.81) Yuri.
- Referee: Del Cerro Grande (Madrileño). Booked the home team's Germán (m.50) and the visitors Yeray (m.40) and Vesga (m.73).
- Attendance: Approximately 22,000 spectators at the Estadio Nuevo Los Cármenes in Granada, with around 600 Athletic fans. Sold out.