Europa League

Schalke 2-4 Athletic Bilbao

By Jack Prescott, Rugby Editor | 29 March 2012

Athletic Bilbao score four away goals as they beat Schalke 4-2 in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie at the Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen.

Athletic Bilbao scored four away goals as they beat Schalke 4-2 in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie at the Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen.

After a lively start from both sides, Bilbao scored an away goal after 20 minutes when Fernando Llorente was first to the rebound after Markel Susaeta's effort had been saved.

Their lead lasted only two minutes as Raul nicked in at the near post to tap home Atsuto Uchida's cross.

The Bundesliga went 2-1 ahead on the hour thanks to Raul's volley after the ball had broken to the Spanish veteran.

However, Bilbao drew themselves level with 15 minutes to play when Llorente headed in Ibai Gomez's corner.

The Spanish side snatched a third goal in the 81st minute when Oscar De Marcos reacted first to Susaeta's parried shot to fire in.

The Germans nearly made it 3-3 in the final five minutes, but Klaas-Jan Huntelaar's fizzing came back off the woodwork.

Despite Schalke's late surge, Bilbao sealed the first-leg win in injury time when Iker Muniain converted.