In a thrilling encounter at San Mames, Villarreal emerged victorious against Athletic Club with a score of 2-1. This match, held recently, marked a significant achievement for Villarreal as it was their first league double over Athletic Club since the 2010/11 season.
The match saw Villarreal take the lead with goals from Sergi Cardona and Alfon Gonzalez, both of whom celebrated personal milestones. Cardona netted his first goal since August 2024, while Gonzalez scored his first since joining on loan from Sevilla in January. Gorka Guruzeta, on the other hand, continued his impressive form, scoring his 14th goal of the season across all competitions.
Villarreal’s victory was particularly noteworthy as they have not lost a match after opening the scoring in LaLiga this season, boasting an impressive record of 16 wins and 3 draws in such scenarios. Conversely, Athletic Club has struggled defensively, failing to secure a clean sheet in their last 15 league games.
Despite the defeat, Athletic Club had their chances, including a late strike from Nicolas Pepe that was ruled out by VAR for offside. This loss was a missed opportunity for Athletic Club, who could have narrowed the gap to seventh place by four points.
Villarreal currently sits in third place in LaLiga, four points clear in the race for a Champions League spot. However, this victory was only their second in the last eight away games, highlighting the challenges they have faced on the road this season.
The match concluded with the Flashscore Man of the Match award going to Sergi Cardona, who played a pivotal role in Villarreal’s success. Fans from both sides expressed their emotions, with Villarreal supporters celebrating a crucial win while Athletic Club fans were left to ponder their team’s ongoing struggles.
As the season progresses, both teams will be looking to build on this match’s outcome, with Villarreal aiming to solidify their position in the top tier and Athletic Club seeking to turn their fortunes around.
