Madrid: Playmaker Benat Etxebarria scored with a superb free kick just before halftime to lead Athletic Bilbao to a 3-1 win over Eibar on Sunday, getting his team back in the fight for a Europa League spot.
Etxebarria perfectly curled a right-footed shot over the wall from near the left corner of the penalty area in the 42nd minute. The powerful strike went into the top left corner, leaving no chance for Eibar goalkeeper Asier Riesgo.
Forward Inaki Williams added to Athletic's lead in the 55th at San Mames Stadium in Bilbao with a great run from his own half. Williams sped past a couple of defenders before entering the area and sending a low shot between the legs of Riesgo.
Eibar pulled one back with a header by forward Sergi Enrich in the 70th, but Iker Muniain sealed Athletic's victory after a counterattack in second-half injury time.
It was Athletic's second win in its last three matches, leaving it seventh in the 20-team standings with 23 points, the same as fifth-placed Villarreal and sixth-placed Real Sociedad. The top four teams get to play in the Champions League next season, while Nos. 5 and 6 participate in the Europa League.
Athletic is in the second-tier European competition this season.
Eibar, coming off two straight wins, stayed on 21 points and dropped to eighth place.
Eibar was one of the clubs whose players wore rainbow-coloured arm bands on Sunday to promote the fight against homophobia.
Leader Real Madrid drew Barcelona 1-1 in Saturday's "clasico" at Camp Nou to reach 34 points and maintain a six-point advantage over the rival atop the standings. Sevilla is third with 27 points and Atletico Madrid fourth with 25.
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REAL BETIS 3, CELTA VIGO 3
Spain striker Iago Aspas scored a goal in each half and Argentine defender Facundo Roncaglia netted an 85th-minute equaliser for Celta Vigo in its thrilling draw against Real Betis in Seville.
Betis twice had the lead with goals by striker Ruben Castro, Paraguay forward Antonio Sanabria and Argentine defender German Pezzella. But Celta kept coming back to secure the away draw that left the visitors in ninth place with 21 points.
Real Betis is 14th with 15 points, five away from the relegation zone.
Betis had Brazilian midfielder Petros sent off in second-half stoppage time.