Europa League: Final countdown as Radamel Falcao fires Atletico

The Colombian striker nodded Atletico ahead in the 18th minute at a festive Calderon stadium before Jonas levelled moments before the break.

Second-half goals from defender Miranda, forward Adrian and a stunning second from Falcao made it 4-1 before Ricardo Costa snatched a second for the visitors in the fourth minute of added time to keep Valencia’s hopes alive for next week’s return at their Mestalla stadium. Midfielder Arda Turan created Atletico’s opening goal when he got the better of Adil Rami on the byline and his cross was deflected to Falcao who nodded past Diego Alves.

Rami made amends for his error in first-half added time when he leaped above the Atletico defence at a corner and nodded the ball on for Jonas to prod home. Miranda stole in behind the Valencia defence to nod in Diego’s free kick four minutes after the break and Adrian sped past his marker and shot back across Alves into the corner for Atletico’s third five minutes later. Falcao the struck the goal of the night in the 78th minute when he cut in from the right past two defenders and lashed the ball high into the net off the underside of the bar, prompting wild celebrations from coach Diego Simeone.But, in almost the last action of the match, Costa sent a powerful header past Atletico goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois from Tino Costa’s outswinging corner to give Valencia hope.

In the other semi-final, Sporting came from behind to beat Athletic Bilbao 2-1 at home thanks to goals by Emiliano Insua and Diego Capel.

Jon Aurtenetxe grabbed the breakthrough for the Spaniards in the 54th minute, tapping in after Sporting’s Insua failed to clear Markel Susaeta’s free kick. But the Portuguese side, unbeaten in 11 European home games, kept on believing and Argentine Insua made up for his mistake 20 minutes later, levelling with an exquisite header before Capel rifled in the winner with a left-footed shot.