Madrid (Spain), Dec 09: Spanish international midfielder Vicente Rodriguez scored twice as Valencia edged Athletic De Bilbao 2-1 and rose to second place in the Spanish League.
Vicente's goals Sunday took his season's tally to five and extended Valencia's unbeaten run to four matches. Striker Santi Ezquerro got Bilbao's consolation goal.
Valencia's Francisco Perez Rufete and Bilbao's Ismael Urzaiz each missed penalty kicks in the dying moments of the game.
In another 15th-round match, Spanish international Fernando Torres netted twice as Atletico De Madrid downed last-place Espanyol 2-0 and regained fifth place.
Elsewhere, Mallorca beat Valladolid 1-0; Sevilla edged Zaragoza 3-2; Albacete crushed Racing De Santander 4-0; and Murcia drew 1-1 with Villarreal.



Real Madrid, which beat FC Barcelona 2-1 on Saturday, leads the standings with 33 points. Valencia has 31, followed by Deportivo De La Coruna with 30 and Osasuna with 26.



Vicente's first goal came in the 18th minute after Bilbao defender Aitor Karanka had lost the ball to Miguel Angel "Mista" Ferrer. The striker passed to midfielder Jorge Lopez, whose cross was steered in by the Spanish international.



Ezquerro grabbed Bilbao's equaliser in the 52nd minute when he received the ball from Valencia defender Carlos Marchena's tackle on forward Joseba Etxeberria. Ezquerro's goal was his first of the season.


Bureau Report