Ghana international Inaki Williams has dedicated his dramatic last-minute winner against Valencia in the Spanish Copa del Rey to his newborn son, Niko. The Black Stars forward and his wife, Patricia Morales, recently welcomed their first child, whose name pays tribute to Inaki’s younger brother and teammate, Nico Williams.
The 31-year-old captain came off the bench to score in the 96th minute, clinching a 2-1 victory at Mestalla and sending Athletic Bilbao into the semi-finals. The winning goal came courtesy of a perfectly timed low cross from Nico Williams, which Inaki calmly slotted home from close range, silencing the Valencia faithful.
Speaking after the match, Inaki reflected on the personal significance of the moment:
“He deserves all our respect. We deserved a moment of joy like this — the players, the fans, and the coaching staff. This is the first goal I can dedicate to my son. The season has been difficult, but today could mark a turning point,” he said.
The match had seen a rollercoaster of emotions earlier. Valencia took the lead in the 26th minute when Athletic’s Umar Sadiq inadvertently diverted a cross into his own net. However, Sadiq redeemed himself just nine minutes later, heading in an equaliser after a well-crafted move by Hugo Duro on the flank.
Athletic missed a golden opportunity in the 75th minute when Mikel Jauregizar’s penalty was saved, keeping the game finely balanced. Valencia pressed for a late winner, but Bilbao caught them on the counter, resulting in Inaki’s decisive strike.
Looking ahead, Athletic Bilbao will shift focus back to La Liga, hosting Levante at San Mames on Sunday, February 8.
This season has been challenging for Williams, whose campaign has been hampered by persistent injuries. The Ghanaian international has managed two goals in 21 appearances across competitions, but his last-minute heroics against Valencia remind fans of his enduring quality and clutch ability.
