Athletic Bilbao will play in the Champions League group stages for the first time in 16 years following their 3-1 victory over Napoli this evening.
The two sides met in Naples last week, where they played out a 1-1 draw. Despite scoring first in the San Mames tonight, the visiting Italians, who are managed by Rafael Benitez, could not hold out as Bilbao rallied to score three times in the space of 14 second-half minutes.
Hosting Bilbao had the two best chances of the first half, but neither Carlos Gurpegi nor Aymeric Laporte were able to keep their efforts on target.
It appeared that those misses would prove costly just two minutes after the restart when Napoli midfielder Marek Hamsik powered a shot into the bottom corner of the home side's net from the edge of the area to put his side in front.
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However, Bilbao's response to having fallen behind was positive and in the 62nd minute they were level on the night and on aggregate courtesy of Aritz Aduriz, who rose highest to convert Markel Susaeta's corner.
The same player then put the La Liga side in front just seven minutes later when he found himself with enough time and space inside the area to score from close range.
Then, in what was a clinical spell for Bilbao, Unai Lopez's lofted through-pass was collected by Gomez Perez Ibai from out wide and having cut inside, the winger was able to slide his shot inside the post to all but end the tie as a contest.
Aduriz had a chance to complete his hat-trick in the closing stages, only to see his strike fly over the bar, but it didn't prove costly as the Spaniards held out for the 4-2 aggregate win.
Liam Apicella
