Europa League

Valencia 2 - Athletic Bilbao 1

Valencia: Mat Ryan; Rubén Vezo, Mustafi, Adelan Santos, Gayà; Danilo Barbosa, Javi Fuego (Dani Parejo 67‘), André Gomes (Paco Alcácer 82’); Rodrigo (Feghouli 74’), Negredo, Santi Mina. 4-3-3.
Athletic: Herrerín; De Marcos, Etxeita, Laporte, Balenziaga (Lekue 75’); San José, Beñat; Raúl García, Sabin (Iturraspe 75‘), Muniain (Susaeta 24’); Aduríz. 4-2-3-1.

Goals:
1-0. 14. Santi Mina. Turned shot back in to net after Herrerín saved from Negredo.
2-0. 37. Adelan Santos. Got above markers to head Gayà centre wide of keeper.
2-1. 76. Aduríz. Fired shot past Ryan after Raúl García flicked on De Marcos cross.

Athletic Bilbao qualified for the quarter finals of the Europa League after knocking out fellow Spaniards Valencia on the away goal rule! The Ches quickly cancelled out Athletic’s one goal lead after Rodrigo laid Gayà’s cross back to Negredo, Herrerín keeping out the shot from the striker but unable to prevent Santi Mina from turning in the rebound. And shortly before the interval Aderlan Santos put them in front with a well aimed header from Gayà’s centre. André Gomes and Gayà could have increased the lead either side of half time, but Mat Ryan had to save from Laporte, and with a quarter of an hour to go Raúl García flicked on a De Marcos centre for Aduríz to score his eighth of the competition, the referee waving away claims for a previous hand ball by Susaeta. Gary Neville was sent to the stands for his protests, but his team could still have saved the day had Herrerín not kept out a Paco Alcácer header near the end.