Athletic Bilbao Set Up SUPERCOPA Final With Real Madrid, After Victory Against Atletico Madrid.

Athletic Bilbao came back from a goal down to defeat reigning La Liga champions Atletico Madrid 2-1 on Thursday and set up a Spanish Super Cup final against Real Madrid.

The second Supercopa de España semifinal, started with a slow-paced first period in Riyadh's half-empty King Fahd stadium, the game only came alive  when Atletico went ahead just past the hour mark. 

A Thomas Lemar's corner from the right, was headed by Joao Felix only for the ball to hit the post and deflect past the goal line via the back of diving Bilbao keeper Unai Simon in the 65th minute, making it an own goal.  

 

Bilbao later scored twice in the space of four minutes from set pieces, courtesy of a header from Yeray Alvarez in the 77th minute assured by captain Iker Munian, and Nico Willams - a 70th minute substitute, and younger brother of Athletic Bilbao striker Inaki- netting in the winner from another corner by Iker Munian in the 81st minute to secure their second consecutive appearance in the final.

"I'm very emotional right now," said 19-year-old Nico Williams.

"I hope there will be many more joys like this. I'm very happy to have been able to experience this with my Inaki and my mother, who came to hug us at the end of the match.

"She told me I deserved it. The hug with my brother after my goal is a moment I will never forget.

"I have dreamed of this moment with my brother many times,"  

 "Their goal was a hard blow, but we are as tough as nails and we know how to bounce back. We are prepared for any challenge and now we'll face a tough opponent in Real Madrid. We go all-in and let's hope we win another Super Cup."

It was just Nico's second senior goal for the club, and Athletic Bilbao have only conceded 17 goals in La Liga this season - the second fewest in the division.

Atletico Madrid shot-stopper Oblak expressed his disappointment in the defeat: 

"It's hard to explain, we conceded two goals off set-pieces. We have conceded a lot of goals like that this season, and it happened to us again tonight," said the Slovenian international.

"We didn't play a good game," 

"That wasn't the plan for sure, the plan was to play more, to press, to have more of the ball. It didn't turn out like that, the team is disappointed, it's a difficult moment, Every defeat is tough and this one even more, we really wanted to get to the final, we wanted the trophy.

"Other games will come, we have to get back up. You can't say anything else, we have to improve a lot."

Meanwhile in the first Supercopa de España  game that went down on Wednesday night, Real Madrid were made to sweat as they beat Barcelona to reach the final.

Goals from Vinicius Junior in the 25th minute, was cancelled out by Luuk de Jong goal just before the end of half-time.

Karim Benzema restored Madrid lead in the 75th minute, but Ansu Fati leveller in the 83rd minute saw the game end at 2-2 at regular full-time.

It took a Fede Valverde goal in 98th minute of extra time to seal the win for the Los Blancos side.

The Los Leones look to become the first side in over a decade to retain the trophy, as they prepare to face Real Madrid in Sunday's showpiece final in Riyadh.

They had won the title in January last year, following a 3-2 win against Barcelona in the final.