Valencia, Atlético move on in Europa League; Bilbao eliminated

(GSM) – Valencia and Atlético Madrid carried the flag for Spain on Thursday as both advanced to the Europa League round of 16 with wins over Club Brugge and Galatasaray. Athletic Bilbao, however, were knocked out after a hammering by Anderlecht.

Valencia needed extra time to progress, but they got two goals in the extra period to secure a 3-0 victory on the night and 3-1 on aggregate over Club Brugge.

Juan Manuel Mata levelled the tie inside the first minute of the match, but the attack of Los Ché went cold amid a phenomenal defensive effort by the visiting Belgians at the Mestalla.

Valencia could not grab the winner in 90 minutes, but Pablo Hernández struck seven minutes into the first half of extra time to put Valencia 2-1 in front on aggregate.

Brugge still had a chance needing just an away goal without reply to move on, but Pablo put the tie out of reach in the 117th minute to secure Valencia’s progression.

Atlético Madrid also moved on after a stunning 2-1 victory in Turkey against 10-man Galatasaray gave them a 3-2 aggregate triumph.

After a 1-1 draw in Madrid in the first leg, Atlético cancelled the away goal and went in front on 63 minutes when Portuguese forward Simão Sabrosa beat goalkeeper Leo Franco in the Galatasaray goal.

But Gala evened the tie just three minutes later when Ivorian striker Abdulkader Keita equalized with a shot beyond Sergio Asenjo.

But Galatasaray opened the door for the visitors when striker Caner Erkin earned his second yellow card on 82 minutes, and Diego Forlán struck the winner in added time.

Anderlecht had the advantage in their tie after a 1-1 draw at Athletic Bilbao last week, and they finished it off in style with a 4-0 home win and 5-1 aggregate triumph.

Outmatched from the beginning, Bilbao trailed inside four minutes when Romelo Lukaku bagged a goal beyond Gorka Iraizoz, and defender Mikel turned one past his own keeper on 28 minutes to make it 2-0 to the Belgians.

It only got worse for the Basque side as Roland Juhász scored on 50 minutes to make it a three-goal lead, and Jonathan Legear sealed the tie with a fourth in the 68th minute.