San Mamés erupted in a cacophony of joy and relief as Gorka Guruzeta wrote himself into Athletic Bilbao folklore with a dramatic late winner against a stubborn Newcastle United side.
Basque Fortress Proves Tough Test for Magpies
Newcastle arrived in Bilbao having never lost to Spanish opposition in the Champions League, but they faced a ferocious challenge from a Lions side determined to make their long-awaited return to Europe's elite competition count. The visitors, missing key attacker Alexander Isak, struggled to impose themselves against Athletic's intense press.
The first half was a tense, tactical affair, with both teams probing for weaknesses. Athletic controlled possession but found Newcastle's defence a difficult nut to crack. The Magpies, organised and disciplined, seemed content to absorb pressure and hit on the counter-attack.
Guruzeta Breaks the Deadlock
As the clock ticked towards full-time, with the game seemingly destined for a stalemate, the moment of magic arrived. In the 88th minute, Guruzeta found a pocket of space and unleashed a precise, low shot that flew past Martin Dúbravka, sending the 50,000-strong home crowd into absolute delirium.
The goal was a just reward for Athletic's persistence and dominance in the latter stages. Manager Ernesto Valverde's decision to stick with his attacking philosophy ultimately paid dividends against Eddie Howe's well-drilled side.
What This Means for Group H
This vital victory gives Athletic Bilbao a perfect start to their Champions League campaign, putting them in a strong early position in a highly competitive Group H. For Newcastle, it's a frustrating start to their European journey, but they will take heart from a resilient defensive display for large parts of the match.
The result sets up a fascinating reverse fixture at St James' Park, where the Magpies will be desperate to avenge this narrow defeat in front of their own passionate supporters.
