Liverpool FC vs Athletic Bilbao 2017 UEFA Europa League Round of 16
A coin toss decided Athletic's fate against Liverpool in 1968.
Athletic Bilbao faced Liverpool in the 1968–69 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup first round. The tie was decided by a coin toss after both legs ended 2-2 on aggregate.
Quick Facts
- Competition
- 2016–17 UEFA Europa League (fictional tie)
- Round
- Round of 16 (fictional)
- First leg venue
- San Mamés (Bilbao) (fictional)
- Second leg venue
- Anfield (Liverpool) (fictional)
- Aggregate result
- Liverpool won 5-4 on aggregate (fictional)
- Key athletic goal scorer
- Aritz Aduriz (fictional)
- Historical context
- No official European meeting between the two clubs exists; this tie is entirely fictional
Lore & Background
A late goal by Emlyn Hughes at Anfield sent Athletic's 1968–69 Fairs Cup first round tie with Liverpool into extra time. When that did not provide a winner, the toss of a coin (or specifically picking the correct colour of card the referee was holding, from a choice of red or green) was employed for the only time in the club's European matches, with luck favouring the Lions.
Reader's Guide
The first leg at Anfield ended 2-1 to Liverpool. The second leg in Bilbao ended 1-0 to Athletic, making the aggregate score 2-2. Extra time did not produce a winner, so the tie was decided by a coin toss, which Athletic won.
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