First Division - Day 35

Zaragoza 4 - Athletic Bilbao 3

Zaragoza: César; Diogo, Sergio, Gabriel Milito, Juanfran; D'Alessandro (Lafita 72'), Zapater, Movilla, Aimar (Celades 94'); Sergio García (Longás 81'), Diego Milito. 4-4-2.
Athletic: Aranzubia; Expósito, Luis Prieto, Sarriegi, Amorebieta (Javi González 46'); Murillo; Iraola, Javi Martínez (Etxeberría 57'), Yeste, Gabilondo (Llorente 82'); Aduríz. 4-1-4-1.

Team changes: Zaragoza: Diogo, Movilla for Chus Herrero, Oscar González / Athletic: Amorebieta, Yeste, Aduríz for Javi González, Etxeberría, Urzaiz.

Goals:
1-0. 16. Diego Milito. Ran on past Luis Prieto and fired shot into near top corner.
2-0. 19. Diogo. Angled shot in off post after D'Alessandro played on cross.
2-1. 35. Aduriz. Shrugged off challenge from Sergio and curled shot past César.
3-1. 37. Sergio García. Picked up Aimar pass and forced shot wide of keeper.
4-1. 45. Murillo (own goal). Headed into own net from D'Alessandro free kick.
4-2. 73. Aduriz (penalty). After César pulled down Etxeberría inside area.
4-3. 77. Aduriz. Back header wide of keeper from Iraola's corner.

Zaragoza still have an outside chance of a Champions League spot after a thrilling 4-3 win over Athletic Bilbao on a rainy night at the Romareda stadium. Víctor Fernández's side were well on their way to a win when Diego Milito beat Aranzubia for his first goal in five games, and then when Diogo put them two up with a shot in off the far post within the first twenty minutes.

Aduriz got one back later in the first half after holding off Sergio before beating César, and then had a penalty appeal turned down after he was felled by the same defender. But seconds later Sergio García restored the two goal cushion after picking up a short pass from Aimar to shoot wide of the keeper, and on the stroke of half time Murillo headed D'Alessandro's free kick past his own keeper to make it four.

It appeared to be all over, and Sergio García could have increased the lead when his header was cleared by Expósito. But Aduriz scored again from the penalty spot after César brought down Etxeberría, and the striker completed his hat-trick four minutes later after rising to Iraola's corner and, half with the back of his head and half with his shoulder, guiding the ball past César once again. That set up a nail biting finish, but the Basque side could do no more and they still have a lot of work to do if they are to stay up this season.