It's advantage Eibar after victory in Gijón

A 2-1 triumph over Sporting at El Molinón sees Eibar take a narrow advantage into the return leg of their Copa del Rey last-32 tie, which will be played at Ipurua on 21 Decemeber.

In what was a sad day for the world of football following on from the air crash involving Brazilian outfit Chapecoense, the Armeros got their Copa del Rey campaign off to the best possible start in Gijón.

The visitors forged ahead very early on, indeed there was barely a minute on the clock when a move down the right saw the ball threaded through to Nano, whose effort on goal was blocked by the advancing Sporting goalkeeper, before Bebé pounced to sweep the loose ball home off the base of the upright.

The early goal left the Asturians shell-shocked and Eibar sought to build on their lead in a bid to give themselves a bigger cushion ahead of the return leg. The Armeros bossed possession throughout an opening 45 minutes in which they enjoyed the better of the chances, but the hosts had a golden opportunity to have levelled when they were awarded a penalty in the 31^st minute. However, Yoel pulled off a fine diving save to ensure that his side went in a goal to the good at the break.

Sporting upped things in the second period and after they had squandered several openings, Borja Viguera restored parity when he headed home a cross from former Eibar man, Lillo. The equaliser gave the hosts a boost, but it also served to shake Eibar into action.

Neither of the sides looked prepared to settle for a draw as chances came and went at both ends. Yoel did well to keep Sporting at bay and the Armeros would later be rewarded as they retook the lead.

With two minutes to play, David Juncà whipped in an inviting cross from the right and the onrushing Rubén Peña fired home from point-blank range to make it 2-1 to the visitors. There were no further goals as Eibar held on to claim a victory which puts them into the driving seat ahead of the return leg at Ipurua.