Evening all! Sports Mole's live Copa del Rey coverage continues from San Mames as Athletic Bilbao welcome Espanyol for the first leg of their semi-final. Bilbao have a rich history in this competition – lifting the trophy on 24 occasions, the last of which was back in 1984. Espanyol, meanwhile, have won the competition four times in their history. Up for grabs is a spot in the final against either Barcelona or Villarreal.

In terms of progression to this stage of the competition, Bilbao have beaten Alcoyano, Celta Vigo and Malaga to book their spot in the final four, while Espanyol have overcome Deportivo Alaves, Valencia and Sevilla. Both teams will enter this match off the back of defeats, however, with Bilbao losing 5-2 at home to Barcelona in the league and Espanyol suffering a 2-1 defeat at home to Valencia.

Bilbao's form in recent weeks has not been too bad – losing just one of their last five in all competitions, while they currently sit 13th in La Liga. Espanyol, however, have lost their last three games in all competitions since beating Almeria at the end of last month. As it stands, Sergio Gonzalez's team are still ninth in La Liga, but the run of losses will be a concern ahead of this match.

TEAMS

BILBAO: Herrerin; Iraola, Etxeita, Gurpegui, Aurtenetxe; San Jose, Benat, De Marcos; Susaeta, Aduriz, Muniain

ESPANYOL: Pau; J.Lopez, Colotto, Moreno, Fuentes; Arbilla, Sanchez, Vazquez, Alvarez; GarcIa, Stuani

Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium as the home side get the first 45 minutes underway.

Bilbao have already lost seven times in this stadium this season - it is not the fortress of the old San Mames. The home side have taken control of the early possession, however, with Espanyol sitting deep in the opening couple of minutes. Both of these teams will fancy their chances of making the final.

Not too much to report in terms of chances in the early stages, but the home side have been in control of the possession, with Benat and San Jose enjoying plenty of the ball. Aduriz, who is Bilbao's leading scorer this season, threatens behind the Espanyol defence, but Pau Lopez is out to claim.

CHANCE! Bilbao come close to taking the lead as Aduriz picks the pocket of Arbilla before driving into the box, but his low effort is saved by Pau Lopez. Smart goalkeeping there.

Espanyol have the chance to threaten from a deep free kick, but Garcia places one straight into the arms of the Bilbao goalkeeper. It is a little untidy in the middle of the park at the moment, with both sides guilty of losing control of the ball. The opening eight minutes have just flown past here.

Bilbao lead with 11 minutes on the clock and it is a super, super goal. Aduriz breaks beyond the Espanyol defence before lifting his effort over the onrushing goalkeeper. So calm there - excellent.

There was never any doubt when Aduriz made the break through on goal. Espanyol will remain calm, but they have lost their last three games in all competitions and therefore confidence is surely low.

Not too much to report in terms of chances since the opening goal, but Bilbao are fairly comfortable at the moment, which will not please Espanyol boss Sergio. Aduriz continues to look lively here.

Bilbao are again down the right with Iraola, but the cross from the Spaniard is disappointing and Lopez is on hand to claim. Espanyol are down the other end moments later, but the ball does not stick with Garcia, who has been selected in a front two with Stuani tonight. Still 1-0 Bilbao here.

Better from Espanyol in the last couple of moments as Garcia delivers a free kick towards the far post, but Iago is on hand to claim. The home side are down the other end moments later, but it breaks down with De Marcos. End-to-end football in the last couple of minutes, but no clear opportunities.

Espanyol force another free kick in a dangerous position, but Vasquez plays it short to Garcia and the danger is cleared. It really needs to be a lot better from the visitors in those areas of the field.

Espanyol have started to warm to their task as Vasquez switches the play from left to right, but Alvarez cannot deliver a telling cross. Bilbao attempt to break down the other end, but Muniain cannot keep control of the possession. Good spell of pressure from the visitors with 24 minutes on the clock.

Slightly untidy period of the match in the last couple of moments, with the referee forced to intervene following a number of late challenges. However, the delivery from free kicks has been poor thus far.

Garcia remains the main outlet for the away side as the Spaniard attempts to collect a pass from Alvarez, but he had moved into an offside position. It has been a frustrating night for the skipper thus far.

Only Barcelona have won the Copa del Rey more times than Bilbao and as it stands, they are in a good position in this match. The hosts continue to look the more dangerous through Aduriz, but the Spaniard cannot slide a pass into Muniain, who had found some space down the left of the field.

Just a reminder that nothing will be decided this evening, with the second leg to come early next month. However, away goals indeed count double in this competition and Espanyol will be keen to register.

Oh my good grief that is some strike! Sensational from Victor Sanchez as the Spaniard absolutely rattles one into the top corner after collecting a loose ball on the edge of the box. Sensational!

Little over five minutes of the first period remaining and Bilbao attempt to respond with De Marcos, but the Spaniard cannot meet a cross from Muniain. It has been an entertaining half of football here.

Possession football from Bilbao as they pass and probe in the Espanyol half, but the visitors are nice and tight in defensive areas, with Moreno coming across to clear a through pass from San Jose.

BOOKING! Gurpegi (Bilbao) is booked for a late challenge on Garcia.

Not too much to report in terms of chances in the latter stages of the first period, with both teams seemingly preparing for the break. Both managers will be pretty pleased with the opening half.

CLOSE! Muniain has the chance to send Bilbao ahead late in the half, but the Spaniard curls his effort wide of the post after finding space outside the box. Good work from the attacker.

So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 1-1. Bilbao opened the scoring through Aduriz after 11 minutes, but a stunner from Sanchez levelled the scores. It has been an entertaining first half of football, with both sides demonstrating their attacking intent.

STATS! Bilbao have shaded the possession with 59%, while they have had three attempts - two of which have been on target. Espanyol, meanwhile, have only had one attempt on target, but it brought their goal. Gurpegi (Bilbao) has been the only booking in the first 45 minutes.

BENCH WATCH! The home side have a number of attacking options on their bench this evening, with the likes of Ibai Gomez, Borja Viguera and Inaki Williams all in reserve. Espanyol, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Felipe Caicedo, Paco Montanes and Salva Sevilla.

Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Let's hope for more of the same from the first half. It is the away side that resume the Copa del Rey action at San Mames.

No changes from either side at the interval, which is not too surprising at this stage of the match. However, I suspect that alterations will occur if the score remains 1-1 for the next 20 minutes.

Half-chance for Garcia after the Espanyol skipper meets a poor header from San Jose, but the Spaniard goes for the chip and it is fairly comfortable for Iago in the Bilbao goal. Fast start here!

CHANCE! Opportunity for the home side to regain the lead as Aduriz collects a super pass from San Jose, but the striker fires high from a difficult angle. He is such a threat!

CROSSBAR! Espanyol are straight down the other end with Garcia, but his effort from a difficult angle hits the crossbar. Well, this second period has started very fast indeed. Excellent stuff!

Well, the last couple of minutes have been calm following that excellent start to the half. Neither side is really in control at the moment, with both having their moments in the final third of the field. As it stands, Espanyol will be the happier of the two sides - boasting an away goal ahead of the second leg.

CHANCE! Excellent chance for the away side as Garcia does brilliantly to find some space inside the Bilbao box before setting up Stuani, but his curling effort just moves high of the crossbar.

Espanyol are on the front foot at the moment as they continue to threaten from a series of set pieces, but Bilbao manage to clear the danger. The visitors have had a couple of excellent chances in this second period and they might be made to regret missed opportunities. Still 1-1 on the night.

It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium at the moment, with the home supporters making their voices heard. Benat tries his luck for Bilbao, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. This has been a real cracker at San Mames - let's hope it continues!

Much better from Bilbao in the last couple of minutes, with Benat starting to dictate the play from a deeper position. No movement on either bench at the moment, but it must be a consideration.

Bilbao are seemingly preparing to make their first change, with Vigueira receiving instructions.

Espanyol have a free kick in a very dangerous position as San Jose brings Vasquez to the ground. No booking, which is a surprise. It was a poor challenge. Can the visitors take advantage...

... Arbilla takes the resulting set piece, but his effort is high of the crossbar. Poor.

SUB! Double change for the home side as Viguera and Aketxe replace Susaeta and Muniain.

Little over 20 minutes of football remaining and the score is still 1-1 at San Mames. In truth, neither manager will be too disappointed if the first leg were to finish with the score as it stands.

SUB! Espanyol make their first change as Caicedo replaces Stuani.

Decent spell for Bilbao in the last couple of minutes, with De Marcos seeing more of the ball in the final third. However, the Spaniard cannot find a cross into Aduriz, with Moreno on hand to clear once more.

CHANCE! San Jose has an excellent chance to send Bilbao ahead after meeting a free kick from Benat, but the Spaniard's flicked header is just over the crossbar. Oh what an opportunity!

BOOKING! Aurtenetxe (Bilbao) is booked for a poor challenge on Garcia.

Bilbao have managed to turn the tide in the last 10 minutes or so, with the home team now looking more likely to grab a winner in the final stages. It is so delicately poised at San Mames.

SUB! Bilbao make their final change as Ibai Gomez replaces Iraola.

CHANCE! Sensational chance for Espanyol as Caicedo finds space behind the Bilbao attack before rounding the goalkeeper, but Ibai is across on the cover to make an excellent interception.

ALL of the chances in this second period have come for Espanyol. They really should be ahead.

Half-chance for the home side this time as Ibai Gomez finds some space in the final third, but his effort from a difficult angle was always moving wide of the post. Little over five minutes remaining.

POST! Espanyol again! Wonderful chance for the visitors as Alvarez meets a cross from Garcia, but his effort hits the post from close range. How on earth are the away side not ahead!

BOOKING! Iago (Bilbao) is booked for dissent.

SUB! Espanyol make their second change as Sevilla replaces Lopez.

There is still time for Bilbao to score what could be a vital goal, but Espanyol have been solid defensively this evening. Bilbao do not tend to travel well and therefore Espanyol will be the favourites to advance from this semi-final. Could it be Barcelona against Espanyol in the final? Derby time!

SUB! Espanyol make their third change as Montanes replaces Alvarez.

We are into the second of three additional minutes here.

BOOKING! Montanes (Espanyol) is booked for a late challenge on Benat.

So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with the two sides level at 1-1. Espanyol had a number of chances in the second half, but could not add to their tally. The visitors, however, have secured a vital away goal ahead of the second leg, which will take place early next month. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!