Europa League semi final round up

Atletico Madrid and Sporting Lisbon defeated their visitors in the first leg of the Europa League semi final to stay at an advantage of moving to the finals.

Atletico Madrid defeated their fellow Spanish side Valencia 4-2, while Sporting Lisbon beat Athletic Bilbao 2-1.

Falcao got the first goal for Atletico eighteen minutes into the match but Jonas got an equaliser for the visitors in the 45th minute to ensure that the score was level at half time.

Four minutes into the second half, Miranda put the home side ahead heading in a free kick from Diego. Adrian got the third goal for Atletico in the 54th minute while Falcao got his second goal of the game in the 78th minute to make it four four Atletico.

 Ricardo Costa got the second goal for Valencia through Tino Costa’s corner in the added time of the 90 minutes.

In the other Europa League semi final first leg played on Thursday, the three goals scored in the match all came in the second half.

Jon Aurtenetxe scored for Athletic Bilbao in the 54th minute putting the visitors ahead, but Emilliano Insua got an equalizer for Sporting in the 75th minute through a header.

Diego Capal got the victory for the home side hitting a good left footed shot to the lower right corner from the right channel.

The second leg of both matches will be played on April 26.