Mike Rico scores twice to knock out Real Betis

Athletic Bilbao have qualified for the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey by beating Real Betis 2-0 in the second leg to claim a 2-1 aggregate success.

Bilbao created the first chance of the game when Ibai Gomez curled in an inviting cross to Oscar de Marcos, who struck his effort wide of the target.

Betis only managed to threaten on the break as the hosts applied most of the pressure before eventually finding the opening goal in the 23rd minute.

Andoni Iraola split the Betis defence with a through-ball and Mikel Rico took the opportunity to slot home and level the scores at 1-1 on aggregate.

The visitors improved after the break and enjoyed most of the possession but they came close to falling behind when Ibai lifted a shot over the crossbar from a good position inside the box.

Bilbao edged ahead in the 67th minute as Rico took advantage of some space to fire a deflected effort into the bottom corner.

The dangerous Rico targeted a third goal just a few minutes later but his long-range strike drifted just wide of the target.

Betis failed to put the home side under pressure in the closing stages as Bilbao secured their progress with a second-leg victory.