Athletic Bilbao had to overturn a two-goal deficit against Rayo Vallecano in the second leg of the Kings Cup at San Mames to advance and they came out all guns blazing in the opening stages.
Athletic Bilbao had to overturn a two-goal deficit against Rayo Vallecano in the second leg of the Kings Cup at San Mames to advance and they came out all guns blazing in the opening stages.
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Athletic Bilbao players engage in a heated argument with the referee |
However, they couldn't break the deadlock until just before the break, when Fernando Llorente converted Andoni Iraola's right wing cross.
They were made to pay for their missed chances when Rayo striker Juan Collantes expertly lifted the ball over Armando in the 72nd minute, but Llorente gave Athletic the lead again moments later amid some shocking marking.
Two minutes later, the scores were level again through Edu Albacar, and this time there was no coming back for last year's finalists.
Valladolid, coming to Mallorca with a 2-1 lead over the first leg, also failed to qualify. The hosts looked fairly uninspired in the early stages, seemingly confident of the fact they would break through at some point. The tie swung in the hosts favour in the 40th minute when Alhassane Keita found the net, and Valladolid were forced to commit more men forward.
Los Blanquivioletas could not find the crucial goal, and Mallorca held on to secure a place in the last 16. u2014
