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Valencia 2-1 Athletic Bilbao (2-2 agg.): Aduriz seals away-goals success

Athletic Bilbao scraped through to the Europa League quarterfinals on away goals despite losing 2-1 at Valencia on Thursday.

Europa League top scorer Aritz Aduriz got the crucial strike as Athletic Bilbao edged into the last eight on away goals at the expense of Valencia, despite a 2-1 defeat at the Mestalla.

Having won last week's first leg 1-0 at San Mames, Athletic found itself 2-0 down and staring elimination in the face with 14 minutes to go on Thursday.

But Aduriz's eighth goal of this year's competition made the difference, with Valencia head coach Gary Neville subsequently sent to the stands for furiously protesting against a handball in the build-up.