Hugo Duro scores to deny Athletic Bilbao to deny Copa Del Rey win

Athletic Club were denied what would have been an important first-leg victory in their first leg Copa Del Rey semifinal match against Valencia on Thursday. Athletic Club had already taken care of Real Madrid in the quarterfinals, but Valencia accounted for Cadiz with a 2-1 scoreline.

Both Athletic Club and Valencia are separated by four points on the table. Athletic Club has 34 points from 23 games in 8th, while Valencia has 30 points from the same number of games but are in 11th position.

Veteran Raul Garcia opened the scoring at the San Mames with 8 minutes left to half-time. However, Hugo Duro denied the win with his 65th-minute goal. The second leg will happen on the 2nd of March. However, before that Valencia will face Alaves, Barcelona, and Mallorca in the La Liga, while Athletic Club will face Mallorca, Real Sociedad, and Barcelona in the La Liga.

The other remaining teams in the competition are Real Betis and Rayo Vallecano, who both played a 2-1 win for Betis on Wednesday evening.

Meanwhile, the Spanish La Liga continues this weekend as Sevilla plays Elche on Friday night before Wednesday is locked up with Cadiz hosting Celta Vigo, while Villarreal will face Real Madrid, Rayo Vallecano against Osasuna, and Atletico Madrid against Getafe.

On Sunday, Levante hosts Betis, Alaves will play Valencia, Real Sociedad will play Granada. While Espanyol will face Barcelona, and the last game of the week will be on Monday as Mallorca host Atletic Bilbao.

On the table, Real Madrid are top with 53 points, six more than Sevilla in second place, while Barcelona are two points behind Real Betis in third place. The bottom of the table has Levante, Alaves, and Cadiz from 20 to 18 respectively.

Written by: Daniel Ademiju