Athletic Bilbao recorded their first win in Champions League Group H thanks to Mikel San Jose’s goal against Shakhtar Donetsk.
San Jose netted late in the second half to keep Athletic in with a chance of finishing third in the table, a top two finish already out of reach of Ernesto Valverde’s side prior to the game played in Lyiv.
The win sends Athletic into third above BATE Borisov, who were beaten 0-3 by Porto earlier on Tuesday, with Los Leones to play the Belarusians in the final round of group games next month.
Athletic’s evening was somewhat soured by an injury to Xabier Etxeita, who had to be replaced in the first half by Carlos Gurpegi. The club have since confirmed the defender suffered a groin injury but more tests are needed to establish the severity.
Iker Muniain went close to a second goal for Athletic while Gorka Iraizoz was called into action on more than one occasion, but Ernesto Valverde’s side held on for the win.
Shakhtar 0-1 Athletic
San Jose 68
Shakhtar: Pyatov; Srna, Kucher, Rakitskiy, Shevchuk; Fernando (Fred 77), Stepnaneko; Costa (Marlos 68), Teixeira, Taison (Bernard 71); Luiz Adriano
Athletic: Iraizoz; De Marcos, Etxeita (Gurpegi 32), San Jose, Balenziaga; Mikel Rico, Iturraspe, Benat, Susaeta (Aduritz 65), Muniain (Lopez 88); Viguera
Referee: Mark Clattenburg [ENG]
