Wednesday, May 9th, 2012

Atletico Madrid 3 – Athletic Bilbao 0 (Europa League final, May 9, 2012) (Alternative highlights) It took just seven minutes for Radamel Falcao to curl home a beauty and continue his tremendous scoring record in this competition for 1-0 Atletico. On 34 it was that man again, Radamel Falcao produced a sensational drag back in the box and fired Atletico 2-0 up. With 5 minutes to go, after Bilbao had piled on the pressure in the second half, Diego charged through and finished expertly for 3-0.

Aerial view of Radamel Falcao’s first golazo v Athletic Bilbao.

Fans invade the pitch at the Europa League final.

Atletico Madrid release YouTube video thanking their fans minutes after Europa League final triumph.

Atletico Madrid lift the Europa League trophy.

Thursday, April 26th, 2012

Valencia 0 – Atletico Madrid 1 (Europa League semi-final second leg, April 26, 2012) (Alternative highlights) Atletico went 5-2 up on aggregate on the hour with a terrific strike from Adrian.

Thursday, April 26th, 2012

Athletic Bilbao 3 – Sporting Lisbon 1 (Europa League, April 26, 2012) (Alternative highlights) Susaeta put Bilbao 1-0 up on the night and 2-2 on aggregate from a Fernando Llorente chest down on 17 minutes. A minute before the break Ricky van Wolfswinkel, who was earlier been booked and will miss the final, scored a big goal for Sporting only for Bilbao to respond immediately with Ibai the beneficiary of another Llorente assist. With three minutes to go Bilbao confirmed their place in the Europa League final with Fernando Llorente reacting like lightning to convert a deflected Ibai cross.

Thursday, April 19th, 2012

Sporting Lisbon 2 – Athletic Bilbao 1 (Europa League semi-final 1st leg, April 19, 2012) (Longer highlights.)  Bilbao took the lead early in the second half when Jon Aurtenetxe was in the right place to steer home a free-kick, but in the 76th minute Sporting equalised through a Emiliano Insua’s onrushing header. Minutes later Lisbon erupted as Diego Capel swung the match with a 25-yard daisycutter into the bottom corner.

Thursday, April 19th, 2012

Atletico Madrid 4 – Valencia 2 (Europa League semi-final 1st leg, April 19, 2012) (Longer highlights.) Atletico broke the deadlock in the all-Spanish affair when Radamel Falcao planted home a precision header from a deflected Turan cross. Valencia levelled on the stoke of halftime when Jonas tucked in a corner at the back post. Atletico regained their advantage through Miranda’s header from a Diego set-play, and Valencia were then caught dilly-dallying in middle of the half and Adrian broke three to put Atleti 3-1 up in 54th minute. Atletico placed one foot in the final with a killer fourth goal; Radamel Falcao scoring a solo wonder-goal n which he rounded two defenders before cracking a thunderbolt off under the bar. Deep into injury time Valencia bagged a lifeline as Ricardo Costa powered in a header from a Tino Costa delivery.

Thursday, April 5th, 2012

Hannover 1 – Atletico Madrid 2 (Agg. 2-4) (Europa League quarter-final, second leg, April 5, 2012) (Alternative highlights.) Adrian Lopez all but sealed Atletico’s progress on 63 with a fine individual run and finish but a goal from Mame Biram Diouf did give the home side hope until Europa League goal specialist Radamel Falcao sealed the win with three minutes to go.

Thursday, April 5th, 2012

Metalist 1 – Sporting Lisbon 1 (Agg. 1-2) (Europa League quarter-final, second leg, April 5, 2012) (Alternative highlights.) On the stroke of half-time Ricky van Wolfswinkel headed Sporting 3-1 up in the tie. On 57, Jonathan Cristaldo brought Metalist level on the night at 1-1.

Thursday, April 5th, 2012

Athletic Bilbao 2 – Schalke 2 (Agg. 6-4) (Europa League quarter-final, second leg, April 5, 2012) (Alternative highlights.) Just before the half hour, Klaas Jan Huntelaar continued on his brilliant scoring run to give Schalke a sniff of turning the tie around. Four minutes before the break Bilbao equalised on the night thanks to an excellent curler from Ibai Gomez. Seven minutes after half-time Raul once again showed his class with a terrific strike after a fine move but three minutes later it was 2-2 on the night as Susaeta equalised.

Thursday, April 5th, 2012

Valencia 4 – AZ Alkmaar 0 (Agg. 5-2) (Europa League quarter-final, second leg, April 5, 2012) (Alternative highlights.) Adil Rami headed Valencia level on aggregate on 15 minutes from a Sofiane Feghouli cross. Two minutes later Adil Rami was once again at the back post to fire Los Che ahead over the two games. It was game over 11 minutes into the second half with Jordi Alba scoring Valencia’s third after sustained pressure. Pablo Hernandez grabbed the fourth for rampant Valencia.

Thursday, March 29th, 2012

Schalke 2 – Athletic Bilbao 4 (Europa League quarter-finals 1st leg, March 29, 2012) (Longer highlights.) Stabbing the ball home from close range, Fernando Llorente bagged his 23rd goal of the season in the 19th minute to hand Bilbao the advantage. The lead was short-lived as Raul notched his incredible 75th goal in all European competitions with a trademark predatory finish from close quarters. Later in the first half Raul single-handedly ran rings around the Bilbao defence before the Spaniard flopped to the floor following a nutmeg. Schalke took the lead with a wonderful Raul strike on the hour as the 34-year-old legend laced a magnificent volley into the far corner, but the match was tied 2-2 in the 73rd minute when Fernando Llorente headed home an Ibai Gomez’s corner. Seven minutes from time Bilbao yo-yoed the match back in their favour as Oscar De Marcos netted a third away goal for the Basques. An incredible finish to the match from Bilbao ended when teengaer Iker Munian netted a fourth to leave Schalke facing an uphill task to stay in the tournament.