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FANS have been fighting in the streets ahead of Athletic Bilbao's Europa League clash with Spartak Moscow.

The duo squared off in the second-leg of their last-32 game in Bilbao on Thursday evening.

 Bilbao and Spartak fans clashed ahead of their Europa League clash
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Bilbao and Spartak fans clashed ahead of their Europa League clashCredit: EPA
 The police were present as things escalated
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The police were present as things escalatedCredit: Reuters

Bilbao had won the first leg in Moscow 3-1, meaning the visitors had to score at least two goals to stand a chance of going through.

But the action kicked off before a ball had been touched in the Spanish city.

Spartak fans clogged the town square and chanted football songs.

They also let off flares, clogging the place with red smoke.



 Bilbao won the first leg 3-1 in Russia
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Bilbao won the first leg 3-1 in RussiaCredit: EPA
 Spartak fans were keen to make themselves noticed
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Spartak fans were keen to make themselves noticedCredit: EPA
 Angry fans threw things and let off flares
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Angry fans threw things and let off flaresCredit: EPA

This prompted a reaction from Bilbao fans and the locals, who were not happy about their turf being taken over.

However, the police quickly came in and made sure things didn't get too wild.

Video footage captured plenty of the incidents, which can often happen during European clashes.

But neutral fans will be hoping the game makes for better viewing.

 A man remonstrates with a police officer
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A man remonstrates with a police officerCredit: EPA
 The police were marching with shields
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The police were marching with shieldsCredit: AFP
 One man was knocked to the floor in the scuffles
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One man was knocked to the floor in the scufflesCredit: AFP
 The incidents happened before a ball had even been kicked
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The incidents happened before a ball had even been kickedCredit: EPA