VIDEO Atletico Madrid 4-2 Valencia: Highlights As Falcao Scores Twice But Valencia Strike Late To Stay In Europa League Semi-Final

Atletico Madrid were left ruing conceding a goal in injury time at the end of both halves against Valencia that leaves them with just a 4-2 advantage to take into the second-leg of their Europa League semi-final.

Despite two goals from Radamel Falcao and further strikes from Miranda and Adrian Lopez, late goals in each period by Jonas and Ricardo Costa means Valencia will feel they are still well in contention to make the final.

Falcao, who struck an incredible 17 goals in the competition last season, began the scoring by grabbing his ninth in the Europa League this campaign in the 18th minute.

Valencia defenders Jordi Alba and Adil Rami both made a mess of clearing the ball to allow Arda Turan to pull the ball back for Falcao to head home from close range.

But the visitors stunned Atletico by snatching an equalizer, deep into first-half injury time.

Rami atoned somewhat for his earlier error by heading on a Valencia corner from the left that allowed Jonas to take advantage of some lackluster marking to sneak in and finish from barely two yards out out at the back post.

Atletico did not dwell on the disappointment, though, and retook the lead three minutes after the break. With half of the Valencia back line seemingly trying to play offside and the rest apparently not getting the memo, Miranda was left with plenty of space to head home Diego's free-kick.

And Valencia's defensive horrors continued when Mehmet Topal gave the ball away, allowing Adrian acres of space to burst into and past the beleaguered Rami, before beating Diego Alves with a smart finish back across goal.

While Valencia's poor defending could also be pinpointed as leading to Atletico's fourth goal, it would be somewhat joyless not to focus on the majesty of Falcao's strike for his second goal of the night. The Colombian striker was allowed far too much space on the edge of the box, but there was nothing the goalkeeper could do about Falcao's powerful left-foot strike that soared into the net off the underside of the cross-bar.

But with Atletico looking good for a place in the final, they again conceded from a set piece in injury time. Ricardo Costa was the scorer on this occasion as he rose to head home Tino Costa's corner.

Atletico Madrid Vs Valencia 4-2, 2012 (Europa...

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