Athletic Bilbao entered Thursday night's Europa League match against Lokomotiv Moscow as slight favorites to advance, despite trailing 2-1. They were the better team in the first half away in Moscow before giving up two goals, and looked good to get through with an away goal. They struggled in the first half and had a man sent off, but found a way to advance with a set piece goal and some desperate defending. Their goal gave them a 1-0 win on the night, making it 2-2 on aggregate. They advance to the next round on away goals.
Athletic Bilbao Vs. Lokomotiv Moscow, 2012 UEFA Europa League: Les Leones Sneak Through
The red card came in the 60th minute, when central defender Fernando Amorebieta picked up a second yellow card. Athletic's chances of advancing looked a bit slim at that point, but Iker Muniain would score the winner just two minutes later. On a corner kick, Fernando Llorente rose up and nodded the ball to the back post, where an unmarked Muniain was waiting to finish off the chance and send his team through.
Lokomotiv were lively after the goal and looked like they were capable of grabbing a winner, but the Bilbao defense held on to see them through to the Round of 16.
See More:
