Levante vs Athletic Bilbao Copa Del Rey Semi Final

Thursday 4th March 2021  Copa Del Rey Semi Final 2nd Leg

Levante 1-2 Athletic Bilbao 

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Atletico Bilbao to play two Copa Del Rey finals this year after narrowly defeating Levante in extra time.

Bilbao have now advanced into two Copa Del Rey finals in a row and will play one against Barcelona and one facing Real Sociedad from last year's competition which was halted due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Both cup finals will take place in April in Seville.

A stalemate in the first leg was followed by a skilful Levante goal from number nine Martí in this second leg after teammates Rochina and The Frogs' top scorer Morales added to the scorer's slick nutmeg with two of their own from the left flank.

Claimed to have been fouled just inside the box, Raul García steps up to the spot for the Northern Spanish side and fires home on the keeper's left side in the 30th minute of the contest.

Levante's De Frutos came close and an Álvarez miraculous deflection almost led to the home side's second goal as it clipped the post.

A goalless second half came next after both sides failed to capitalise despite several clear opportunities in the box including Iñaki Williams missing late on just 8 yards out from goal.

Levante dominated in extra time with De Frutos panicking the Bilbao defence as he plummeted to the ground to try and win a penalty for his side may times. A foul on the ex-Real Madrid man led to a scintillating free kick for Levante which forced a remarkable save from Simón in goal.

However, aiming to win their first of this cup in their history, Levante conceded after Berenguer Remiro's strike bizarrely deflected and flew past the Levante goalkeeper.

Bilbao made it 3-2 in extra time with this somewhat fortunate equaliser and subsequently look to win their second successive domestic cup this term after triumphing in the Supercopa de España earlier this season.

Boss Marcelino has a chance to win three Copa Del Rey's in a row after winning in the 2018/19 season with Valencia. He would be the only manager in Spanish history to win three of these cups spanning over two clubs.

Levante continue to strive towards the European places in La Liga as they face last year's cup finalists Sociedad on Sunday while Athletic Club bid to win two of the same trophy this April.