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Tempers soar as Villarreal down Athletic
Villarreal’s La Liga clash at home to Athletic Bilbao descended into farce on Saturday in a frenetic final 10 minutes that included a penalty save and four dismissals, including Bilbao coach Joaquin Caparros.
Villarreal’s La Liga clash at home to Athletic Bilbao descended into farce on Saturday in a frenetic final 10 minutes that included a penalty save and four dismissals, including Bilbao coach Joaquin Caparros.
Villarreal were leading 2-1 when Javi Venta brought down Bilbao’s substitute Iker Muniain and conceded a penalty but Diego Lopez palmed away Andoni Iraola’s 89th minute spot kick. Tempers began to fray and Villarreal defender Diego Godin clashed with Bilbao midfielder Javi Martinez and the pair were shown red cards.
As he left the pitch Godin had a heated exchange with Caparros, who was later sent off. There was still time for the referee, who played seven minutes of added time, to dismiss Bilbao’s Pablo Orbaiz for pulling a opponent’s hair.
The incidents spoiled what had been an entertaining match, with Igor Gabilondo’s strike levelling for the visitors after Joan Capdevila’s opener and Nilmar’s winner.
