BILBAO (Spain): Athletic Bilbao striker Aritz Aduriz scored goals at the start of each half to help the Basque club beat Malaga 3-0 on Monday and strengthen their hold on Spain’s final Champions League berth.

Bilbao dominated the one-sided match at their new San Mames Stadium, with Malaga never able to counter the hosts’ up-tempo attack.

Aduriz took his first goal four minutes in when he shook his marker to head in Markel Susaeta’s corner kick at the near post.

Aduriz tapped in another Susaeta pass seconds after half-time, and Ander Herrera hit from long range in the 62nd.

The win restored Bilbao’s hold on fourth place as they moved to 62 points from 33 matches, six ahead of Sevilla. —AP