Irrepressible Athletic show their class

Two goals from Fernando Llorente and a strike from 16-year-old Iker Muniain earned Athletic Club Bilbao an impressive victory against FK Austria Wien in UEFA Europa League Group L.

Two-goal Llorente
Llorente added to his first, an eighth-minute penalty, with a spectacular volley on 24 before Muniain took centre stage and crowned an exciting performance with a simple finish just before the hour. The victory gives the Spanish club an early share of the lead in the section alongside Werder Bremen, who won 3-2 at CD Nacional in the other match.

Early opener
Any hopes Austria Wien had of frustrating their hosts soon evaporated when Markus Suttner stopped Markel Susaeta's thrust into the penalty area and Llorente fired the ensuing spot-kick low to the right of Szabolcs Sáfár. The Liga outfit were dominant yet Mamadou Diabang reminded them that they could ill afford to relax, firing in an effort which was kept out by Athletic No1 Gorka Iraizoz.

Volleyed goal
Athletic, however, were proving irrepressible and they doubled their lead midway through the half, Susaeta clipping the ball into the area from the right and Llorente acrobatically volleying in despite the best efforts of Sáfár. To their credit, Austria Wien kept asking questions of the home defence and Iraizoz denied Diabang again when the Senegalese striker had a clear sight of goal.

Post struck
Five minutes before the break, Francisco Yeste teed up Muniain, whose shot clipped the post, while soon after the restart the former curled a free-kick wide. Muniain did not have to wait long for his second European goal of the season, finishing off a flowing move which ended with Joseba Etxeberria finding Andoni Iraola, who in turn teed up the teenager for an easy finish.

Dismissal
Athletic were clearly enjoying themselves while Austria Wien's daunting task became all but impossible 20 minutes from time when Suttner collected his second yellow card for felling the precocious Muniain.