Copa del Rey, Semi Finals, (First Leg), 2023-2024: Advantage Bilbao as Atletico’s unbeaten home run ends.

Athletic Bilbao ended Atletico Madrid’s 28 match unbeaten streak at home with a 1-0 win in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals, 2023-2024.

Alex Berenguer converted a first-half penalty kick to give Athletic the tight victory at the Metropolitano Stadium on Wednesday.

Atletico hadn’t lost at the Metropolitano since a 0-1 defeat against Barcelona in January last year in the Spanish league. Diego Simeone’s team had only two draw since then, both against Getafe in the Spanish league.

“It’s always tough to win in this stadium, they are always pressing forward and putting you on the defensive,” Athletic coach Ernesto Valverde said. “It was a typical Copa match and we came through in the end.”

Atletico thought they had a chance for a late equalizer when the referee called a penalty kick on Alvaro Morata in stoppage time, but video review determined that the Atletico striker was offside and reversed the call.

The hosts had almost evened the match in the 85th when Angel Correa’s shot was blocked by Athletic defender Inigo Lekue at the goal line.

Berenguer scored the winner by converting a 25th minute penalty after a hard sliding tackle by Atletico defender Reinildo on Athletic midfielder Benat Prados.

The second leg will be on Feb, 29 at Athletic’s San Mames Stadium. Athletic beat Atletico 2-0 in a league match there in December.

“They got a very good result and we will need to try to find a way to overcome it in order to advance,” Simeone said.

“It will be difficult, we will need to score two goals and that’s not easy. They have a significant advantage,” the Atletico manager said.

COPA DEL REY RESULT (SEMIS, FIRST LEG):

Atletico Madrid – 0 vs Athletico Bilbao – 1 (Berenguer 25-pen).