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Europa League

Sporting Lisbon 2 - Athletic Bilbao 1

Sporting: Rui Patricio; Joáo Pereira, Xandào, Polga, Insúa; Carriço (Carillo 68'), Schaars; Diego Capel (Pereirinha 83'), Martins (Diego Rubio 75'), Izmailov; Van Wolfswinkel. 4-2-3-1.
Athletic: Iraizoz; Iraola, Ekiza, Amorebieta, Aurtenetxe; Ander Herrera, Iturraspe; Susaeta (Ibai Gómez 83'), De Marcos, Muniain; Llorente (Toquero 58'). 4-2-3-1.

Goals:
0-1. 53. Aurtenetxe. Turned ball in to net after Insúa touched on Susaeta free kick.
1-1. 75. Insúa. Steered header past Iraizoz after Diego Capel cross partly cleared.
2-1. 80. Diego Capel. Picked up ball outside area and fired shot wide of keeper.

Athletic Bilbao lost 2-1 to Sporting Lisbon in their first leg tie, although the away goal they scored still gives them a decent chance of going through to this year's final. It was a battle royal between two sides both known as "the Lions" in their respective countries, with the Portuguese team if anything having the better of an active first half. Iraizoz was in action early on to save from Insúa, and Pereira and the gloriously named Van Wolfswinkel both brushing the woodwork with long shots, and Athletic replying with efforts from Llorente, Susaeta and Ander. Eight minutes in to the second half Aurtenetxe sent the 4,000 or so travelling fans wild when he got on the end of a deflected Susaeta free kick to give the Spaniards the lead, and Amorebieta came close to a second when he hit the post soon afterwards. However with a quarter of an hour to go a lapse of concentration by the Bilbao defence allowed Insúa to run in and head the equaliser after a cross from Diego Capel was only partly cleared, and four minutes later the ex Sevilla winger scored a second goal himself with a shot from outside of the area. Everything now will be decided in the San Mamés stadium next Thursday.