Athletic Club delivered an emphatic performance at San Mamés, securing a dominant 7-1 victory over Real Valladolid in front of their passionate home crowd. From the very first whistle, the Basque side displayed their attacking prowess, overwhelming Valladolid with relentless pressure and clinical finishing.
First-Half Domination
The hosts wasted no time imposing their style of play, breaking the deadlock within the first 10 minutes. A beautifully worked move saw Iñaki Williams find space on the right wing, delivering a precise cross that was met by Gorka Guruzeta, who finished with a composed strike past the goalkeeper.
Shortly after, Nico Williams doubled the lead with a powerful finish following an excellent solo run down the left flank. The young winger showcased his blistering pace and technical skill, cutting inside before unleashing an unstoppable shot into the top corner.
Athletic continued their attacking onslaught, and by the 30-minute mark, they had already made it 3-0, with Oihan Sancet getting his name on the scoresheet after capitalizing on a defensive error. The visitors struggled to cope with Athletic’s high pressing, and before halftime, Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta added a fourth goal with a precise long-range strike that left Valladolid’s goalkeeper rooted to the spot.
Second-Half Brilliance
Real Valladolid managed to pull one goal back early in the second half through a well-taken effort by Sergio León, giving them a brief glimmer of hope. However, that optimism was short-lived, as Athletic responded almost immediately with Nico Williams grabbing his second goal of the match, finishing off a swift counterattack to make it 5-1.
As the game progressed, Iñaki Williams got on the scoresheet himself, making it six with a calm finish inside the box following a clever one-two with Sancet. The night got even worse for Valladolid when substitute Asier Villalibre came off the bench to complete the rout with a late goal, sealing a remarkable 7-1 victory for Athletic Club.
Standout Performances and Impact
- Nico Williams was the star of the match, contributing two goals and an assist, terrorizing Valladolid’s defense with his speed and dribbling.
- Iñaki Williams also played a crucial role, scoring once and assisting twice, proving his leadership in the attack.
- Oihan Sancet dictated the midfield, controlling the tempo and linking up well with the forwards.
This dominant victory keeps Athletic Club in the race for European qualification, while Real Valladolid faces a tough battle ahead as they continue to struggle near the relegation zone. The win not only boosts Athletic’s confidence but also sends a strong message to their rivals about their attacking strength and determination.
