Athletic Bilbao produced a spirited comeback to earn their first Champions League points of the season, overcoming an opening-minute shock to beat Qarabag 3-1 at San Mamés on Wednesday night.
The Basque side entered the match under pressure after defeats to Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund, while Qarabag arrived in Spain full of confidence, having beaten both Benfica and Copenhagen in their opening fixtures.
However, Bilbao endured a disastrous start. Just 48 seconds into the game — the fastest goal of this season’s Champions League — Leandro Andrade capitalised on defensive confusion between Aymeric Laporte and Aitor Paredes, firing beyond Unai Simón to silence the home crowd.
Bilbao responded with growing urgency, and their persistence paid off just before half-time. A pinpoint long pass from Mikel Jauregizar released Gorka Guruzeta, who surged into the box before driving a low finish beneath Mateusz Kochalski to level the score.
After the break, Ernesto Valverde’s side dominated proceedings, with Guruzeta again testing Kochalski and Paredes narrowly missing after a deflected cross looped over the bar.
The turning point came 20 minutes from time, courtesy of substitute Robert Navarro. Having been on the pitch for only five minutes, the 22-year-old unleashed a stunning curling effort from the edge of the area that arrowed into the top corner, giving Bilbao a deserved lead.
Guruzeta then sealed victory late on, latching onto a loose ball and driving home from distance to secure his second goal of the night and complete a memorable turnaround.
The win revitalises Bilbao’s European hopes, moving them back into contention after two early defeats. Qarabag, who had entered the tie as group leaders, suffered their first loss of the campaign but remain well placed in the standings.
Next up, Bilbao travel to face Newcastle United on 5 November, while Qarabag host Chelsea on the same evening — two fixtures that could prove pivotal in shaping the group’s final outcome.
