These two sides entered the game in contrasting form - while the hosts had won just one of their past eight games in all competitions, the visitors had won their opening two matches in this term’s UCL and are top of the Azerbaijani top tier.
And it was Qarabağ who started the quickest of the two sides as they broke the deadlock inside the opening minute. Athletic’s Aymeric Laporte and Aitor Paredes were involved in a lapse of communication, allowing Leandro Andrade to bury past Unai Simón from a tight angle.
However, that proved to be one of few real openings the away team manufactured in the opening 45 minutes, instead being put under sustained pressure by Athletic.
There were plenty of chances for the Spanish outfit, too, as Oihan Sancet fired over the bar from a very dangerous position before Mateusz Kochalski was forced to intervene to deny Gorka Guruzeta.
Nico Williams, making his UCL debut after missing the first two games through injury, was next to go close, with his shot deflecting off Kady prior to flying narrowly wide of the post.
After Iñaki Williams was forced off with an injury, his brother Nico and Guruzeta wasted fantastic headed chances as opportunities continued to go begging.
Ultimately, though, Ernesto Valverde’s side went into the interval on level terms, equalising through Guruzeta’s composed finish - no less than they deserved on the balance of play.
Following the restart, Athletic continued to dictate the tempo, and Guruzeta tested Kochalski with a low strike before Paredes somehow chested over the crossbar when it seemed easier to put the ball into the back of the net.
As the game progressed, it became more and more open, yet that was coupled with a distinct lack of composure from both sides until substitute Robert Navarro took matters into his own hands by curling into the top corner from the edge of the penalty area.
Given the intensity of the encounter, both teams tired in the final stages, which meant that while Athletic did not look 100% comfortable in their lead.
As such, Qarabağ had a fantastic chance to equalise late on, only for Yuri Berchiche to clear Oleksiy Kashchuk’s chip off the line.
In the end, Guruezeta’s brilliant touch and volley from outside the box meant Los Leones secured just their fourth win in 15 UCL proper games, and this victory rejuvenates their hopes of reaching the knockout stages.
For Qarabağ, this was their first away defeat of the campaign in all tournaments, but their strong start means they are still on course to progress themselves.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Gorka Guruzeta (Athletic Club)
