Celta Vigo earns 1-1 draw vs Athletic with last-gasp goal by Mendez

Bilbao (Spain) April 1 (IANS) Celta Vigo s Brais Mendez scored a last-gasp goal to draw 1-1 against host Athletic Bilbao in the 30th round of La Liga keeping their Europa League dream alive.

Athletic s Unai Nunez found the back of the net in the 55th minute on Saturday seizing on a ricochet off the woodwork after a header by teammate Raul Garcia reports Efe.

Athletic lacked a bit of luck - and constancy in the final stretch - against Celta as they squandered many chances in addition to referee Del Cerro Grande denying Athletic s claims for three penalties.

The home side s first claim was after Gustavo Cabral touched the ball with his hand then when Lucas Poye downed Iñaki Williams who was later denied a second penalty request.

One minute into the second-half stoppage time Mendez drew level for Celta on a close-range shot off a cross by Hugo Mallo.

The draw keeps Celta in the fight for a berth in the European championships next season as they hold the ninth spot with 45 points five points behind Sevilla sixth-placed in the La Liga table.

--IANS
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