Barcelona, Real Madrid Both Eliminated From Copa Del Rey

Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad produced stunning results to eliminate the Clasico rivals in the quarterfinals.

MADRID (AP) – Real Madrid and Barcelona were both eliminated in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals on Thursday.

Madrid lost 4-3 to Real Sociedad at home before Barcelona conceded a late goal to lose 1-0 at Athletic Bilbao.

It's the first time in a decade that neither Madrid nor Barcelona made it to the last four in the Copa. At least one of the Spanish powerhouses had reached the final every year since the 2009-10 season, when Sevilla won the title. Barcelona made the final the last six years in a row.

Real Sociedad ended Madrid's 21-game unbeaten run with its win at the Santiago Bernabéu to reach the semifinals for the first time in six years.

Athletic got past Barcelona thanks to Iñaki Williams' winner three minutes into second-half stoppage time, adding to club's struggles since it fired coach Ernesto Valverde and replaced him with Quique Setién.

Athletic, the second-most successful club in the Copa with 23 titles, will now be considered a favorite in a last four that will also include Granada and second-division club Mirandés.

Real Sociedad's victory halted Madrid's eight-game winning streak and handed the club its first loss in all competitions since October.

It also ended Madrid's hopes of winning the cup competition for the first time since 2014.

Real Sociedad, a semifinalist in 2014, will be looking to win its third Copa del Rey trophy - and first since 1987.

“Our fans deserved a prize like this," Real Sociedad coach Imano Alguacil said. ”This victory means a lot, coming at a packed Bernabéu, against a team like Real Madrid, with our team playing well. You can imagine how we are feeling right now."

The visitors looked in control for most of the match but Madrid came close to pulling off the comeback after scoring late goals in the second half.

“We gave everything we had in the end, but it was too late,” Madrid defender Marcelo said. “It's hard to come back after conceding four goals at home. It's disappointing, but we still have other competitions ahead of us.”

Madrid had been dominant thanks in part to a stout defense, having conceded only 13 goals in 22 Spanish league matches.

Young Norwegian playmaker Martin Odegaard, playing for Real Sociedad on a loan from Madrid, didn't celebrate after opening the scoring in the 22nd minute off the rebound of a save by Madrid goalkeeper Alphonse Areola.

Young Swedish striker Alexander Isak added to the lead with goals two minutes apart early in the second half - a volley in the 54th and a shot into the top corner in the 56th.

Alexander Isak's goal was ruled out, but he responded with this brilliant volley! Real Sociedad now lead Real Madrid 4-1 😱

Stream on ESPN+ ➡️ https://t.co/kfrebDvwWk pic.twitter.com/iirLX2OlkW

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) February 6, 2020

The 20-year-old Isak - who has scored in five consecutive matches - had already had a goal disallowed for offside after video review just minutes after the break.

Marcelo pulled Madrid closer with a low shot from inside the area in the 59th, but Mikel Merino increased the visitors' lead again from close range in the 69th.

Rodrygo netted Madrid's second in the 81st, two minutes after Vinícius Júnior had a goal disallowed by video review. The third came through a header by Nacho Ramos three minutes into stoppage time.

Real Sociedad defender Andoni Gorosabel was sent off just before the final whistle.

🎙💬 Listen to what #Zidane had to say following tonight's #RMCopa defeat. pic.twitter.com/DEXlLweYpM

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) February 6, 2020

The Copa is being played in single-elimination games this season, except in the semifinals.

Granada eliminated defending champion Valencia on Tuesday, while Mirandés got past Villarreal on Wednesday. Mirandés will be the only lower-division team in the semifinals.