BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Barcelona reached the Copa del Rey quarter-finals on the away-goal rule after drawing 1-1 with Athletic Bilbao yesterday.

After a 0-0 draw in the first leg, Barcelona defender Eric Abidal raced in from the left flank to fire in a pass from Lionel Messi for the 76th-minute opener. The goal was only the second in Abidal’s career, the first coming with Lyon.

Bilbao did everything they could to win their first knock-out series against the Catalan team in 50 years. Fernando Llorente, back after missing the first leg in Camp Nou with a leg injury, beat Barcelona goalkeeper Jose Pinto with a low shot in the 85th to add drama to the end, but Barcelona held on.

Barcelona threatened from kick-off. Less than a minute in, Pedro Rodriguez received a questionable offside call after a great team buildup put him through the Bilbao defence, and seven minutes later Bilbao goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz made a reflex save to keep out David Villa’s close-range header.

A defensive lineup held Barcelona in check at Camp Nou but Bilbao coach Joaquin Caparros opted for attack at home, bolstered by the return of a recovered Llorente. Pressure created a turnover and Markel Susaeta sent a clear chance from the edge of the area flying high.

Today, Real Madrid travel to Levante with the KO virtually certain after a 8-0 thrashing in the first game, and Villarreal faces Valencia after the 0-0 draw at Mestalla Stadium. Also, Espanyol try to overturn Atletico Madrid’s 1-0 lead at home, Almeria defend their 4-3 advantage at Mallorca, and Getafe welcome second-division leaders Betis with Michel Gonzalez’s team ahead 2-1.