Athletic Bilbao forward Aritz Aduriz scored a goal of the year contender on Thursday when his glorious strike saw off Olympique de Marseille in the Europa League.
Aduriz broke the deadlock in the 54th minute, when a lofted ball from goalkeeper Iago Herrerin was headed down by left-sider Sabin into the path of Aduriz.
The striker, without taking a touch to control the ball, left back and lashed a perfect left-footed volley from some 40 yards into the far corner of Steve Mandanda’s net.
It was a goal worthy of winning the match, and could well be one worthy of winning the tie—OM, having lost in front of their own fans, will have to improve significantly in order to advance into the last 16, even if on-loan Sunderland forward Steven Fletcher did impress for the Phoceens.
There were better fortunes for the other French side in the competition, St. Etienne, who secured a 3-2 home victory over FC Basel, with Jean-Christophe Bahebeck scoring a 77th-minute winner.
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