Gorka Guruzeta scored two goals and Alex Berenguer converted a stoppage-time penalty on Friday as Athletic Bilbao twice came from behind to defeat RC Celta de Vigo 4-3 in La Liga.
The win extended Bilbao’s unbeaten streak at home to six games and closed the gap to the top four to one point.
However, Celta’s Iago Aspas silenced the home crowd after 25 minutes when he opened the scoring with a low shot from close range.
Photo: AFP
It was the first goal of the season for the 36-year-old former Liverpool player.
Oihan Sancet equalized seven minutes before halftime for Athletic, but Celta regained the lead just three minutes later thanks to Jonathan Bamba.
Guruzeta equalized in first-half stoppage-time when he turned in a cross from the left and then put Bilbao ahead for the first time with another poacher’s goal seven minutes into the second half.
It was the second time this season that Guruzeta has scored twice and takes his league tally to six goals in 12 games.
With Aspas in commanding form, Celta battled back and Strand Larsen made it 3-3 midway through the second half.
After Aspas missed from the penalty spot in the 72nd minute, it looked like the points would be shared, until deep into stoppage-time.
Oscar Mingueza was penalized for a handball inside the box and Berenguer converted with 98 minutes on the clock to complete the comeback.
“It was a great game for the fans,” Guruzeta said. “We didn’t give up. They started strongly, but you have to fight back.”
BUNDESLIGA
AP, MOENCHENGLADBACH, Germany
Borussia Moenchengladbach on Friday beat VfL Wolfsburg 4-0 to continue their resurgence after a poor start to the season.
’Gladbach did not win any of their first five games in what was their worst league start in more than a decade.
However, they have won three of their past six in a run that includes only one defeat.
The home side faced little threat from a Wolfsburg team that started the day three points ahead of it in the Bundesliga.
’Gladbach took the lead after 15 minutes when Tomas Cvancara side-footed in from close range after Franck Honorat crossed from the right.
Three minutes from halftime, Rocco Reitz seized on a poor clearance from goalkeeper Koen Casteels and doubled the home side’s lead.
Honorat made it three in the 63rd minute and then Alassane Plea added a fourth seven minutes later to seal a commanding win.
LIGUE 1
AP, PARIS
Leaders OGC Nice on Friday missed a chance to extend their lead at the top of the table when they drew 0-0 away against mid-table Montpellier Herault SC.
Nice are the surprise leaders of Ligue 1 and Friday’s draw extended their unbeaten run to 15 games.
However, missing influential midfielder Youssouf Ndayishmiye, Nice struggled to create chances on what was a frustrating night.
SERIE A
AP, ROME
US Salernitana 1919 on Friday missed a golden opportunity to pick up their first win of the season when they gave up a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 away against US Sassuolo.
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