Athletic Bilbao welcomed Elche to San Mames on Thursday knowing that three points would move them into fourth spot in the La Liga table.
The home side fell behind after nine minutes when David Lomban headed home from close range, with that goal all that separated the two sides at the interval.
Elche were 2-0 ahead in the early stages of the second period when Aaron Niguez found the bottom corner, but Markel Susaeta cut the score to 2-1 after 54 minutes.
Bilbao were level with 20 minutes remaining when Aritz Aduriz's header found the back of the net, but they could not find a winner as the points were shared.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! San Mames is the venue this evening as Athletic Bilbao welcome Elche in La Liga. It has been some start to the season for Bilbao, with 19 points from their 10 matches leaving them in fifth position. As mentioned, they also have a strong home record this season having won four and drawn one of their five games in this stadium.
Elche, however, will prove tough opponents this evening. The newly-promoted outfit struggled in the early part of the campaign, but have won three of their last five games in the league. A total of 12 points from their 10 games has left them in 12th, but they could move as high as eighth position with all three points this evening.
Surprisingly, Elche’s away form has been impressive this season. They have won just once on their own patch, but picked up two wins and one draw on the road. That said, goals have been hard to find for the club this season with just 10 goals in their 10 games thus far. Bilbao, meanwhile, have hit the back of the net 16 times.
TEAMS:
ATHLETIC BILBAO: Iago; Iraola, Balenziaga, Laporte, Gurpegi; Susaeta, Iturraspe, Rico, Herrera; Muniain, Toquero
ELCHE: Herrera; Cisma, Lomban, Suarez, Botia; Sanchez, Niguez, Perez; Fidel, Coro, Gil
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for kickoff. It will be the away side to get the action underway. Toquero gets a start for Bilbao this evening alongside Iker Muniain, but there is no place for Ibai Gomez in the XI. Elche, meanwhile, are without the services of Manu del Moral, with Aaron Niguez and Carlos Sanchez both starting. Let's hope for an entertaining fixture at San Mames.
Bright start from the away side as Lomban collects possession in midfield before attempting to find the run of Gil, but it just skidded off the turf and out for a goal kick. Bilbao break down the other end with Muniain moments later, but Botia is across to clear. End-to-end opening couple of minutes at San Mames.
CHANCE! Early chance for the away side as Gil finds himself unmarked inside the Bilbao box, but his attempt, which is neither a cross or a shot, is high and wide of the crossbar. Just a reminder that three points for Bilbao this evening would move them into fourth position in the table.
It's wonderful work from Susaeta as the Bilbao winger drives past two defenders before finding Toquero inside the box, but Cisma manages to clear the danger at the vital moment. The resulting corner is met by Toquero, but once more Cisma makes the block. Neither side has been allowed to settle in possession thus far as the match continues to move at break-neck speed.
Neither side is too interested in defending at the moment as each continues to commit players in the final third. Meanwhile, the referee has been more involved than he would like as the challenges continue to fly in. The latest allows Elche the chance to threaten from a free kick, but Lomban's effort is straight into the arms of Iago, who immediately releases Muniain.
I don't think that Bilbao expected this type of start from Elche, with the away side forcing a number of players forward each time they receive possession of the ball. Another free kick arrives for the away side moments later as Toquero fells Fidel outside the box.
GOAL! Bilbao 0-1 Elche (Lomban)
Elche take the lead with nine minutes on the clock as Lomban rises highest inside the box before thumping a powerful header into the back of the net. It is no more than they deserve after such a positive start to proceedings.
CROSSBAR! Elche come close to scoring their second as Aaron curls a wonderful effort from outside the box, but it smashes off the top of the crossbar. Bilbao have been utterly stunned by the start from the away side this evening there is no question about that.
Bilbao threaten down the other end moments later as Herrera finds Muniain inside the box, but Botia is across to clear at the vital moment. Strange atmosphere inside the stadium at the moment as Elche continue to dominate possession in the final third. We could have had three or four goals in the opening 15 minutes of football. Good grief what a start to this La Liga fixture.
Coro continues to cause problems with his running in the final third as the Elche striker collects a long pass from Fidel, but Iraola comes across to clear at the vital moment. Susaeta takes matters into his own hands down the other end moments later, but his cross is straight into the arms of Manu Herrera, who has been a spectator in the opening 17 minutes of football.
The match has just settled in the last couple of moments after what was an incredible start at San Mames. Bilbao have just began to warm to the task as they enjoy possession in the Elche half. Toquero has been their main threat thus far, but the experienced forward has been unable to test Herrera. I would be astounded if there were not a few more goals in this contest.
CHANCE! Bilbao's best chance of the match comes from an unlikely source as Laporte meets a cross from Herrera, but his effort is just high of the crossbar. Elche are down the other end with Coro moments later, but once more Iago comes out to collect. Entertaining fixture with 22 minutes on the clock.
Good pressure from Bilbao in the last couple of moments as they continue to force the issue in the final third, but Herrera has not really been tested thus far. Another corner causes concern inside the Elche box, but Lomban manages to clear the danger. Hardly time to take a breath here as the end-to-end period of the match continues.
Another half-chance for the away side as Coro collects possession down the right before beating two players and delivering a deep cross into the box, but Laporte just manages to clear at the vital moment. Another set piece arrives for Elche moments later, but Botia's header is straight into the arms of the Bilbao stopper.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments with neither side taking too much care in the final third. You can almost sense the frustration in the home supporters as their side continue to lose possession in the final third. Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining at San Mames.
Another half-chance on the counter for Elche as Coro carries the ball into the box before attempting to move past Iraola, but the right-back just manages to clear at the vital moment. Bilbao are back down the other end moments later, but Susaeta cannot find Toquero inside the box. Such intensity to this match.
Muniain takes matters into his own hands moments later as he collects possession outside the box before attempting to find the top corner, but his effort was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. It might be early, but it would not be a surprise if Valverde was thinking about changes at the interval. He has the likes of Ibai and Benat in reserve this evening.
Elche continue to carve out openings on the counter attack as Coro combines with Fidel before feeding a low cross into the box, but Iago is able to collect, before releasing Susaeta down the other end. However, once more, the move breaks down at the final moment. Little under 10 minutes of the first period remaining.
Half-chance for the home side as Susaeta meets a bouncing ball inside the box, but his effort is blocked by Lomban, who has had quite a first period. Muniain collects possession moments later, but the Spaniard had moved into an offside position. This first period has flown past at San Mames.
CHANCE! Spectacular effort from Toquero as the Bilbao striker is found by Susaeta inside the box, but his incredible volley is straight into the arms of Herrera. Susaeta is involved moments later, but once more the flag is raised. Little under five minutes of the first period remaining.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Elche to score their second just before the interval as Aaron collects a pass from Gil inside the box before attempting to curl one into the bottom corner, but Iago just manages to make the save. Chances at both ends in the latter stages of the half.
Both sides continue to force the issue in the latter stages with each committing players in the final third. It has been some half of football in San Mames. The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional one minute at the end of the first period.
HALF-TIME: Bilbao 0-1 Elche
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with Elche leading courtesy of en early header from Lomban. It could and should have been worse for Bilbao, however, with the away side passing up a number of opportunities in an end-to-end first period at San Mames.
STATISTICS: Bilbao have dominated the possession with 63%, but they have managed just two attempts to Elche's six - four of which have been on target. Aaron Niguez came close to scoring the away side's second moments after they had taken the lead, but his effort struck the top of the crossbar.
BENCH WATCH: Bilbao have a number of attacking options on their bench in the shape of Benat, Oscar de Marcos, Ibai Gomez and Aduriz. Meanwhile, Elche have the likes of Manu del Moral, Javi Marquez and Tono on an attacking bench. There are certainly goals among that list of players.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Just a reminder that Bilbao would move into fourth with three points this evening, but they have work to do. Elche look like scoring each time they advance into the final third. The home side get the second 45 minutes underway.
There was one change at the interval for the home side, with Oscar de Marcos replacing Rico, who struggled to influence proceedings in the first period. No changes for Elche. Half-chance for Muniain in the early stages of the half as the Bilbao forward meets a bouncing ball inside the box, but he fires high and wide of the crossbar.
There is no doubt that Muniain has bundles of talent, but he has not really pushed on in the last couple of seasons. Goals have also been hard to find for the Spanish Under-21 international. The home side continue their bright start to the second period as De Marcos hits one from outside the box, but it was always moving just wide of the post.
GOAL! Bilbao 0-2 Elche (Niguez)
Elche have their second of the match after 48 minutes as Niguez collects a loose ball inside the box before turning his effort into the bottom corner. Well, that has changed the atmosphere inside the stadium.
If Bilbao are to get back into this match, then they will need the home supporters to stay with them there is no question about that. However, the frustration can be felt inside the stadium. A deep cross comes into the box from Muniain moments later, but Herrera is on hand to collect. It has been some performance from Elche thus far.
Half-chance for the home side as Herrera finds Susaeta outside the box. The midfielder turns before releasing an effort, but Herrera was always comfortable in making the save. It would not be a surprise to see Benat or Aduriz introduced for Bilbao in the next five minutes or so. It hasn't quite happened for Toquero.
GOAL! Bilbao 1-2 Elche (Susaeta)
Game on! Bilbao open their tally for the evening as Muniain's beautiful 40-yard ball is turned into the back of the net by Susaeta. Just what the home supporters wanted. Can Elche come again?
Suddenly Elche cannot keep hold of the ball as Botia fouls Muniain outside the box, collecting a yellow card for his troubles. The resulting free kick is taken by Susaeta, but his effort is deflected high and wide of the crossbar. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining at San Mames.
Bilbao make their second change of the match as Benat replaces Herrera. The home side continue to force the issue as Benat's corner is met by Laporte, but his header just drops wide of the post. I would be astounded if we had seen the last of the goals this evening as the chances continue to arrive for both teams.
CHANCE! Another chance for the home side as Susaeta sets up Toquero inside the box, but the striker can only turn his effort wide of the post. It is a surprise that Elche have not looked to alter their shape as the chances continue to arrive. The next goal - if we indeed have one - will be vital.
Half-chance for the away side this time as Fidel strikes one from outside the box, but his effort was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. Bilbao are down the other end with Muniain moments later, but Niguez fells the Spaniard, collecting another card for his side in the process. Little over 25 minutes of football remaining.
On the balance of play, Bilbao deserve to be level at this stage of the match there is no question about that. However, what you deserve in football and what you get are two very different things. Munian has another half-chance moments later as he strikes one from outside the box, but Herrera is on hand to make the save.
Bilbao make their third and final change of the match and it is not a surprising one as Aduriz replaces Muniain. Elche also look to their bench with Mantecon replacing Niguez, who has tired in the last 10 minutes or so. Little over 20 minutes for Bilbao to turn this one around. I would be astounded if we did not see another goal this evening.
GOAL! Bilbao 2-2 Elche (Aduriz)
Well, that is some introduction! Aduriz has barely been on the field for 60 seconds, but he levels the score with a thumping header into the back of the net. Is there time for another?!
Elche are really struggling at the moment as they continue to lose possession in the final third. You just got the feeling that they invited the leveller as they continued to drop deeper and deeper after conceding the first. There is a winner in this match if either team wants it enough. Little over 15 minutes of football remaining in this incredible La Liga fixture.
Better from the away side in the last couple of moments as Coro collects possession in a wide area before finding Fidel, but his effort is straight into the arms of the goalkeeper. Suddenly Bilbao are slightly nervous in the middle of the park, which was not the case five minutes ago. Neither side will want to lose it in the latter stages that is for certain.
The ball moves around like a pin-ball inside the Elche box following a couple of crosses into the area, but the away side do manage to clear the danger at the fourth time of asking. Coro takes matters into his own hands down the other end, but Iago is out to clear at the vital moment. End-to-end football with 77 minutes on the clock.
Elche look to their bench once more as Coro is replaced by on-loan Sevilla forward Manu del Moral. It hasn't quite happened for the latter this season, but a goal this evening could kick-start his career with the club. Little over 10 minutes of football remaining and the two sides are still locked at 2-2.
Bilbao want a penalty as Benat goes down inside the box, but the referee is not interested. It would have been a soft one that is for certain. Neither side is really in control of the possession at the moment as each continues to lose the ball in the final third. I think it would be safe to say that the next goal wins it.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side as Balenziaga's low cross finds Susaeta at the far post, but his effort is blocked by Cisma at the vital moment. The resulting corner also causes concern inside the Elche box, but the referee blows for a free kick as Aduriz handles inside the box.
CHANCES! Another opportunity for the home side as the ball falls kindly for Benat inside the box, but Botia is across to make a quite stunning block at the vital moment. Elche cannot keep hold of the ball at the moment as the home side continue to force the issue, with Toquero heading just wide.
Elche make their third and final change as Marquez replaces Fidel. Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments, with Elche able to keep hold of the ball for an extended spell. They have settled for a point here, but Bilbao have other ideas.
Controversy here as Laporte goes down inside the box, but the referee is not interested and awards the Bilbao defender a yellow card for simulation. I have certainly seen them given. The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes and we are indeed into the second of those.
FULL-TIME: Bilbao 2-2 Elche
So there we have it. The referee brings the match to an end with the two sides sharing the points in a 2-2 draw. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us tomorrow evening for the Catalan derby between Barcelona and Espanyol. Until then!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
