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Europa League | Group Stage

Sep 17, 2015 at 8.05pm UK

Athletic Bilbao
3-1
Augsburg

Aduriz (55', 66'), Susaeta (90')

FT(HT: 0-1)

AltÄ±ntop (15')

Football

Athletic Bilbao come from behind to beat Augsburg

By Tom Nightingale, Reporter

Published: September 17 2015 | 22:07

Last updated: June 5 2025 | 00:15

Aritz Aduriz scores twice as Athletic Bilbao recover from an early scare to see of Augsburg in their Europa League opener at San Mames Stadium.

A double from Aritz Aduriz has helped Athletic Bilbao come from behind to beat Augsburg 3-1 in the Europa League Group L opener at San Mames Stadium.

Spanish Super Cup winners Athletic came into the match on the back of their first La Liga victory of the season over Getafe at the weekend, and they started well with Aduriz coming close and Raul Garcia testing Marwin Hitz.

However, it was Augsburg, playing their first ever match in European competition, who took a surprise lead after quarter of an hour when Halil Altintop took advantage of an error by Inigo Lekue to head home from close range after his initial effort was saved by Iago Herrerin.

Augsburg's Turkish forward Halil Altintop (C) is congratulated by teammates midfielder Dominik Kohr (L) and South Korean forward Ji Dong-won (R) after scoring during the UEFA Europa League group L football match Athletic Club Bilbao vs FC Augsburg at the © Getty Images

Dominik Kohr's shot was blocked and Tim Matavz headed straight at Herrerin as Augsburg continued to impress on their continental debut, before Ji Dong-won was also denied by the goalkeeper.

After being dominated in the first 45, Bilbao started the second period much improved and Aduriz restored parity 10 minutes after the restart with a thumping header from Benat's corner after losing his marker.

The striker then turned the game on its head with his eighth goal of the season just 11 minutes later when he was the first to react to Markel Susaeta's ball across goal to slot home.

Athletic Bilbao's forward Aritz Aduriz (R) celebrates with midfielder Oscar De Marcos (2ndR) and teammates after scoring during the UEFA Europa League group L football match Athletic Club Bilbao vs FC Ausburg at the San Mames stadium in Bilbao on Septembe © Getty Images

Though Alexander Esswein was denied by Herrera, the German side never looked like matching their first-half performance after conceding, and Susaeta wrapped up the victory himself in the last minute.

The winger turned his marker on the edge of the area and curled a shot into the top corner via the crossbar to ensure that Athletic avoided a scare and began with a win.