Athletic Bilbao 2 - 1 Celta Vigo: Raul Garcia winner sends Athletic Bilbao up to fifth

Posted Sunday, May 01, 2016 by PA

Raul Garcia struck a second-half winner as Athletic Bilbao beat 10-man Celta Vigo 2-1 to leapfrog their rivals into fifth place in the Primera Division.

Ernesto Valverde's side were forced to come from behind to seal a victory which cements their hopes of Europa League qualification with two games of the season to go.

Fabian Orellana beat the offside trap to put the visitors in front in the 13th minute but the game changed after Gustavo Cabral pulled down Aduritz Aduriz to hand the hosts a 38th-minute penalty.

Aduriz duly converted the spot-kick to bring Bilbao level and two minutes later Cabral was sent off for his second bookable offence within two minutes to reduce the visitors down to 10 men.

Garcia grabbed the winner in the 72nd minute when he poked the ball past Celta keeper Sergio Alvarez at the second attempt after his first effort was blocked.

The defeat was a blow for Celta, who now face a fight to hold on to sixth place in the table with two games of the season to go, including a final-day trip to title-chasing Atletico Madrid.

Meanwhile, Bilbao maintain slim hopes of overhauling Villarreal for the final Champions League qualifying place, with games against Las Palmas and Sevilla remaining.