SOCCER: Athletic Bilbao fight back to beat Atalanta 3-2 and keep alive Champions League hopes

BERGAMO, Italy — Athletic Bilbao mounted a superb second-half comeback to defeat Atalanta 3-2 in the Champions League on Wednesday, giving the Spanish side renewed hope of advancing to the playoff qualification round.

Atalanta controlled the first half and took the lead in the 16th minute when Gianluca Scamacca connected with a curling cross from Nicola Zalewski, heading the ball firmly past goalkeeper Unai Simon.

Bilbao grew into the match after the break, showing better composure in possession. They equalized in the 58th minute when Gorka Guruzeta struck cleanly from the center of the box.

Ernesto Valverde’s side then turned the match around in the 70th minute when substitute Nico Serrano — who had come on for Unai Gomez just two minutes earlier — made an instant impact by scoring a well-taken goal after being set up by Robert Navarro.

The momentum was fully with the visitors, who added a third goal just four minutes later when Navarro slotted the ball past Marco Carnesecchi.

Atalanta managed to pull one back in the final minutes when Nikola Krstovic scored from close range, following a fine cross by Charles De Ketelaere.

The loss leaves Atalanta needing a win against Union Saint-Gilloise next Wednesday in their final group-stage match to secure automatic qualification. Athletic Bilbao will host Sporting, needing another victory to keep their Champions League hopes alive.

-Reporting by Angelica Medina in Mexico City; editing by Clare Fallon/Reuters