PFC Ludogorets - Athletic Club

Athletic Club secured a magnificent victory in Bulgaria on Thursday night. In two magical minutes, the 73rd and 74th, Los Leones came from behind to beat Bulgarian champions Ludogorets, who showed just how tough the Europa League can be.

Iñaki Williams, with a similar goal to that which he scored against Espanyol, and Nico Serrano, making a goalscoring European debut, rewarded the 500 brave Athleticzales who defied the freezing cold to cheer on their Lions in Razgrad.

Ernesto Valverde's side, with ten points, are up there with the leading pack in the standings, and among those who will go straight through to the last 16. We are virtually in the Round of 32, but nothing can be taken for granted and the next challenge, after Valladolid in LaLiga, will be Swedish outfit Elfsborg at San Mames. There are four games left in the League Phase.

Europe is a road full of pitfalls. And Athletic, with Andoni Gorosabel the only change to the starting XI from the Real Betis match, were not comfortable until the second half.

Valverde's second-half substitutions proved crucial, with three of them were involved in the goals. Oscar de Marcos' cross led to Iñaki's goal to make it 1-1, while Unai Gomez's run and Serrano's flick brought about an unforgettable winner.

Iñaki almost made it 0-1 early on, missing from close-range. But it was the Bulgarians who took the lead, Erick Marcus scoring with a thunderous left-footed strike in the 21st minute. 

Athletic threatened through Berenguer, but the spirited home side always looked dangerous on the counter-attack.

Julen Agirrezabala made a great save from Kwado Duah at the start of the second half before Valverde's triple substitution in the 55th changed everything, with Mikel Vesga, De Marcos and Serrano coming on. 

Yuri forced a save from Sergio Pradt and Aitor Paredes headed wide as we looked for an equaliser. Then the Lions took it up a gear and within an instant the match had been turned on its head.

Ander Herrera and Berenguer even had chances to extend the Zurigorri's lead.

Athletic showed they know what it takes to win, that they know how to suffer and that they can make the most of their talent.