Athletic Club de Bilbao 0-3 Valencia CF

A hat trick by Soldado keeps Valencia strong in third place on their 93rd anniversary.

It was by no means going to be an easy game for Valencia. They were away at San Mamés, against a team who recently eliminated British super-giants Manchester United  from the Europa League. Bilbao is fighting for a European spot next season, and they were sure to win this game.

Valencia did not make it easy, however. Roberto Soldado scored the first in the 41st minute, following a mistake from Mikel San José. The number nine traced the weak pass back to the keeper and took the opportunity to snatch the ball and score.

Jordi Alba assisted to Soldado for the second of the night. The young left back held off a defender pivoted and passed to a charging Soldado who shot it instantly.

Iraola was sent off in the 66th minute after receiving a second yellow card for his foul on Jordi Alba. With ten men and two goals down, Athletic had a tough game ahead of them. Especially without their top goal-scorer Fernando Llorente.

Valencia were now more calm and confident. Soldado missed a one on one with Iraizoz in the 73rd minute. It could have been more for the away side.

Soldado scored his third in the 85th minute via penalty kick thanks to Dani Parejo.

Athletic: Iraizoz, Iraola, Javi Martínez, San José, Aurtenetxe, Iturraspe, Herrera (Ekiza, min.71), De Marcos, Muniain, Susaeta and Íñigo Pérez (Ibai Gómez, min.46).

Valencia: Guaita, Barragán (Bruno, min.71), Rami, Dealbert, Jordi Alba, Topal, Parejo, Pablo Hernández (Jonas, min.59), Feghouli, Mathieu (Piatti, min.75), and Soldado.