Played
February 1, 2012 5:00 AM MYT
Estadio Municipal de Anduva — Miranda de Ebro
Referee: Javier Estrada
Attendance: 6000
February 1, 2012 5:00 AM MYT
Estadio Municipal de Anduva — Miranda de Ebro
Referee: Javier Estrada
Attendance: 6000
Top of the Match
Fernando Llorente Torres
Athletic de Bilbao
Athletic de Bilbao
Fernando Llorente Torres
Athletic de Bilbao
Athletic de Bilbao
Flop of the Match
Garmendia
CD Mirandés
CD Mirandés
Mújika
CD Mirandés
CD Mirandés
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Mirandes 1-2 Athletic Bilbao: Llorente double puts Basque side on verge of Copa del Rey final
The Spain international was in inspired form as his first-half brace on Tuesday evening threatens to end the home side's glorious cup run
By: Victor Ferreira
With a brace from Fernando Llorente, Athletic Bilbao earned a 2-1 victory over Copa Del Rey surprise outfit Mirandes in the first leg of their semi-final clash at the Estadio Anduva.
Athletic's star striker gave his side the advantage with a header and earned the victory with a well-placed strike ending an efficient individual run. Ander Lambarri gave his side hope for the second-leg with an injury time strike, but the top flight side are in a strong position to reach the final.
Mirandes began the game looking to prove once again that their current campaign has been no fluke. The home side forced Athletic to defend in numbers for the opening minutes, looking to stop them from settling into the flow of play.
Although the Segunda Division B side were controlling the match and outplaying their opponents, they forgot that with just one touch, Llorente can change a game. Dribbling past a defender on the left, Oscar De Marcos reached the touchline and sent a looping cross into the area which the Spain striker easily headed past Nauzet Perez.
Minutes later, he was once again decisive, putting a massive dent into the home side's hopes of reaching the final. Latching onto a pass from the left, Llorente cut into the middle of the 18-yard box, dribbling past two defenders in the process, and managed to beat Nauzet with a weak but well-placed strike to earn a brace on the night.
Carlos Pouso's men nearly conceded a third when an inspirational Llorente found an unmarked De Marcos in the box with a masterful lob, but the pacy midfielder had his resulting strike parried away by Nauzet.
In the 40th minute, Llorente put the ball past Nauzet for the third time of the night only to see play pulled back due to the linesman judging him to be offside, and replays of the goal showed the linesman's decision to be questionable.
The minnows were clearly deflated by the scoreline as they struggled to even keep possession in the second half. Individual runs by Pablo Infante were not enough to threaten the well-organised defence of the away side.
Instead of playing like the courageous and inspired side that eliminated Villarreal, Racing Santander, and Espanyol, Mirandes' began to confirm the difference between their team and Athletic's in the league tables.
But when all hope seemed lost for the minnows, a last gasp goal saw their ambitions of reaching the cup final given a shimmer of light. A long pass was flicked on into the box to find Lambarri who sent his powerful strike sailing past Iraizoz and pull one back in injury time.
But Athletic remain firm favourites to go through, and head back to San Mames with a lead to defend in next week's second leg.
Athletic's star striker gave his side the advantage with a header and earned the victory with a well-placed strike ending an efficient individual run. Ander Lambarri gave his side hope for the second-leg with an injury time strike, but the top flight side are in a strong position to reach the final.
| Bet: | Returns: | Bilbao $15.00 | Draw $40.00 | Levante $65.00 |
|
Mirandes began the game looking to prove once again that their current campaign has been no fluke. The home side forced Athletic to defend in numbers for the opening minutes, looking to stop them from settling into the flow of play.
Although the Segunda Division B side were controlling the match and outplaying their opponents, they forgot that with just one touch, Llorente can change a game. Dribbling past a defender on the left, Oscar De Marcos reached the touchline and sent a looping cross into the area which the Spain striker easily headed past Nauzet Perez.
Minutes later, he was once again decisive, putting a massive dent into the home side's hopes of reaching the final. Latching onto a pass from the left, Llorente cut into the middle of the 18-yard box, dribbling past two defenders in the process, and managed to beat Nauzet with a weak but well-placed strike to earn a brace on the night.
Carlos Pouso's men nearly conceded a third when an inspirational Llorente found an unmarked De Marcos in the box with a masterful lob, but the pacy midfielder had his resulting strike parried away by Nauzet.
In the 40th minute, Llorente put the ball past Nauzet for the third time of the night only to see play pulled back due to the linesman judging him to be offside, and replays of the goal showed the linesman's decision to be questionable.
The minnows were clearly deflated by the scoreline as they struggled to even keep possession in the second half. Individual runs by Pablo Infante were not enough to threaten the well-organised defence of the away side.
Instead of playing like the courageous and inspired side that eliminated Villarreal, Racing Santander, and Espanyol, Mirandes' began to confirm the difference between their team and Athletic's in the league tables.
But when all hope seemed lost for the minnows, a last gasp goal saw their ambitions of reaching the cup final given a shimmer of light. A long pass was flicked on into the box to find Lambarri who sent his powerful strike sailing past Iraizoz and pull one back in injury time.
But Athletic remain firm favourites to go through, and head back to San Mames with a lead to defend in next week's second leg.
| Sign up with Ladbrokes for a free bet up to $100 |
|
Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking
Fans' Man of the Match
Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
Times In MYT
Live
Final
scheduled
Suspended
Cancelled
Postponed
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Diego Costa Striker Atl. Madrid |
8 | 4 |
|
Cristiano Ronaldo Striker Real Madrid |
7 | 1 |
|
Negredo Striker Sevilla |
6 | 3 |
|
David Villa Striker Barcelona |
5 | 0 |
|
Lionel Messi Striker Barcelona |
4 | 0 |