Ian Rush's 66th-minute header took Liverpool into the European Cup quarter-finals on 2 November 1983. A 1–0 win at San Mamés settled a second-round tie in which neither side had scored at Anfield a fortnight earlier.
Joe Fagan selected Steve Nicol in place of Craig Johnston. With Graeme Souness directing play in midfield, Liverpool committed players forward and found more space than Athletic Bilbao had allowed them in the first leg.
The home side had early opportunities, Noriega and Gallego shooting off target. Nicol tested Andoni Zubizarreta from distance, but the first half ended goalless. Michael Robinson then had a chance after the interval when the goalkeeper failed to deal cleanly with a Nicol cross; his volley went wide.
The breakthrough came from Alan Kennedy on the left. He turned inside his marker and crossed with his right foot. Rush met the ball with his head, sending it down to bounce beyond Zubizarreta.
Bilbao now needed two goals to progress: an equaliser alone would leave Liverpool ahead on away goals. Instead, Liverpool had opportunities to widen their lead, Zubizarreta denying Kenny Dalglish before Rush shot over after a run by substitute David Hodgson.
The home supporters applauded Liverpool at the finish.