Getafe 2 : 2 Athletic Bilbao - Vera rescues point for Bilbao

Posted Monday, March 14, 2011 by PA

Substitute Urko Vera scored three minutes into added time to secure Athletic Bilbao a hard-earned 2-2 draw against Getafe.

Getafe forward Manu had earlier opened the scoring only to concede an own goal before scoring his `third' of the night to put the home side back in front.

However, Vera came from the bench to lash home a precious leveller for the Basque side.

Athletic goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz made an early save from Juan Albin's attempt on goal from the right wing as Getafe probed.

In the 14th minute the visitors had a chance through exciting youngster Iker Muniain but his 25-yard effort sailed over the bar. Athletic were applying pressure without creating clear chances.

However, striker Fernando Llorente fired one wide in the 29th minute while Carlos Gurpegi forced Jordi Codina to tip round the post with his close-range effort.

A lack of quality to the first half continued as Pedro Rios blasted wide with a speculative effort from around 25 yards.

The second half began in much the same fashion, with Markel Susaeta forcing a save from Codina who did well to punch clear.

The opening goal came in the 58th minute and it was the previously-quiet Manu who scored it. The forward did well to reach Javier Arizmendi's low pass from the left to gleefully turn the ball into the net.

Getafe defender Cata Diaz headed over before Manu's night took a turn for the worse as he inadvertently restored parity for the visitors.

After Derek Boateng's foul on David Lopez, the same player floated in the resulting free-kick which Manu somehow contrived to nod into his own net.

A series of niggly fouls followed with chances rare, although David Lopez probed with another free-kick and six minutes from time another goal came.

Again, Manu was at the centre of it as he once more teamed up with Arizmendi. The winger centred accurately once again and Manu timed his run to sweep home left-footed from just outside the box.

Having atoned for his earlier error, Manu looked to have secured the points for Getafe.

However, a hammer blow landed in the third minute of added time as David Lopez's corner found Urko Vera who stabbed home the dramatic equaliser.