In a significant LaLiga matchup, Villarreal defeated Athletic Club 2-1 at San Mames, marking a notable achievement as it was Villarreal’s 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 made impactful contributions. Cardona scored his first goal since August 2024, while Gonzalez netted his first since joining on loan from Sevilla in January.
Gorka Guruzeta responded for Athletic Club, scoring his 14th goal of the season across all competitions. Despite this effort, Athletic Club was unable to secure a crucial equalizer.
Villarreal’s victory is particularly significant as they have not lost after opening the scoring in LaLiga this season, boasting a record of 16 wins and 3 draws in such scenarios. This win also places Villarreal firmly in third place in the league standings.
On the other hand, Athletic Club continues to struggle defensively, having gone 15 games without a clean sheet in LaLiga. This defeat also meant they missed the opportunity to narrow the gap to seventh place by four points.
In a controversial moment, Nicolas Pepe had a late strike ruled out by VAR due to offside, which could have changed the outcome of the match for Athletic Club.
The Flashscore Man of the Match was awarded to Sergi Cardona for his performance, highlighting his crucial role in Villarreal’s success.
This match adds to Villarreal’s mixed results away from home, as it was only their second win in the past eight LaLiga away games, with two draws and four losses in that span.
As the season progresses, both teams will look to build on this match, with Villarreal aiming to maintain their position in the top tier of LaLiga and Athletic Club seeking to improve their defensive record.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding any further implications of this match on the teams’ upcoming fixtures.
