December 05, (THEWILL) – Athletic Bilbao delivered a stunning performance against Real Madrid at San Mames, notching a 2-1 victory that reinforces their position in the La Liga top four.
The match was a testament to the home team’s determination, with Gorka Guruzeta emerging as the hero by scoring the decisive goal after a dramatic series of events.
The game began with intense early pressure from Athletic, with Nico Williams creating opportunities that tested Real Madrid’s defence.
A controversial moment came when referee Jose Maria Sanchez Martinez made a critical decision, ruling that a challenge on Rodrygo was legal and disallowing a potential goal by Kylian Mbappe for offside.
Alex Berenguer broke the deadlock eight minutes into the second half, converting a superb cross from Nico Williams past goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Real Madrid attempted to level the score, including a penalty opportunity for Mbappe, which was saved by Athletic’s goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala.
The turning point came when Federico Valverde lost possession, allowing Guruzeta to strike a sublime winner that sealed the victory for Athletic Bilbao. This result continues the team’s impressive home record, having been unbeaten in 26 La Liga home matches with 16 wins and 9 draws.
Manager Ernesto Valverde will be particularly satisfied with the performance, which not only demonstrates his team’s capabilities but also maintains their strong position in the league table.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
