MADRID: Athletic Bilbao face a tough battle to make their third successive Copa del Rey final after they were held to a 1-1 home draw in the first leg of their semi-final tie by Valencia on Thursday.

Athletic, who knocked out holders Barcelona and Real Madrid in the previous two rounds, went ahead in the 37th minute thanks to Raul Garcia’s header from a free kick by Iker Muniain.

Valencia, who won the last of their eight titles in 2019, equalised in the 65th with a goal from close range by Hugo Duro off the rebound of a shot by Bryan Gil.

The second leg will be on March 2 at Valencia’s Mestalla Stadium. Bilbao lost the 2020 and 2021 finals.

Published in Dawn, February 12th, 2022