Nacho Pérez Santamaría selected a starting line-up made up of Santos in goal; Bilal, Mati, Andrés and Espínola in defence; Cristian and Adrián on the double pivot; Larrubia and Oso on the wings; Roberto as playmaker and Loren as striker. Juanlu, Guichard, Ibra, Moussa and Tamarit also played in the second half.

The match couldn’t have got off to a better start. Loren, making the most of a pass from Cristian, opened the scoring with a goal that gave the visitors a degree of peace of mind from the outset (0-1, 7’). The Blue and Whites dominated the pace of play, although the rival showed their classic credentials: fight and never giving up. Shortly afterwards, Unai Gómez took the match level (1-1, 34’). Before half-time, a Sollano header (39’) collided with the crossbar of Santos’ goal.

Málaga went all out in the second half. Loren Zúñiga, took advantage of a superb assist from Roberto to score the Malaguistas’ second goal of the game (1-2, 47’). And the goals kept on coming. Athletic equalised again, from a dubious penalty, the work of Ibai Sanz (2-2, 59’).

Nacho made some changes during the second half, still not relying on, but confident of Málaga’s 2-0 win in the first leg. As if that weren’t enough, in the final stretch of play the superlative quality of David Larrubia appeared. The midfielder scored the Blue and Whites’ third goal following a beautiful individual action packed full of talent and class (2-3, 82').

The locals, who maintained a vigorous, tireless display, went level again to at least avoid defeat at their Lezama fortress. Aimar Peña scored the final goal (3-3, 86’).

At the referee’s final whistle, euphoria filled this fabulous team that has achieved a pass to the ‘Final Four’ of the Copa de Campeones juvenil. We’re among the best four in Spain!