Hector Herrera found the net moments before half time to give Porto a 1-0 lead in their Champions League clash with Athletic Bilbao this evening.

The Portuguese side came close to drawing first blood with eight minutes on the clock when Danilo's inviting cross narrowly missed the head of Jackson Martinez in front of goal.

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The hosts dominated the early stages but struggled to create clear-cut chances, although Bilbao goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz was called into action to snuff out Juan Quintero's long-range strike in the 18th minute.

For all of Porto's dominance, it was the Spaniards who came closest to breaking the deadlock in the opening half-hour when San Jose's ambitious long-range strike came back off the upright.

However, moments before half time Herrera raced clear of the Bilbao defence and slotted the ball home, beating Iraizoz in a one-on-one situation.