Half-Time Report: Athletic Bilbao in control against Zilina

Athletic Bilbao have scored two crucial away goals to claim a 2-0 lead over Zilina at the half-time interval in the first leg of their Europa League tie.

The La Liga side, who celebrated a Spanish Super Cup triumph over Barcelona on Monday night, needed just 16 minutes to break the deadlock when Ibai capitalised on space to release Sabin Merino, who found the bottom corner with a calm finish.

Sabin should have added a second just a few minutes later, but the forward somehow managed to head over after connecting with Inigo Lekue's cross.

However, a second goal always appeared to be on the way before the interval and it was Kike Sola who punished some poor marking in the box to fire past a helpless Milos Volesak.