Athletic Club maintained its impressive record of resilience in La Liga, securing a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano at the San Mamés. This result means it is now 36 matches since Athletic last lost a game as favourites, underlining the Basque side’s ability to grind out results even on tough days.
After their thrilling 3-2 opening win against Sevilla, fans expected fireworks. Instead, the first half was filled with sloppy errors, misplaced passes, and missed opportunities, frustrating the home supporters.
First-Half Struggles and Vallecano’s Missed Chances
Rayo Vallecano started brightly, almost shocking the hosts within two minutes. Jorge De Frutos pounced on a poor pass and tested Unai Simón, whose fumble nearly gifted the visitors the lead before the danger was cleared off the line.
Despite their energy, Vallecano failed to turn possession into real scoring chances. Their European midweek exertions in the UEFA Conference League were already beginning to show, with fatigue limiting their sharpness in attack.
Second-Half Turnaround: Sancet Delivers from the Spot
Ernesto Valverde’s men came alive after the halftime break. The usually electric Nico Williams sparked life into the match with a sublime outside-foot cross to his brother Iñaki, who spurned the chance from close range.
The breakthrough finally came in the 65th minute. VAR spotted a foul by Florian Lejeune on Oihan Sancet inside the box. Sancet stepped up with confidence and buried the penalty, sending the San Mamés into relief and celebration.
From that moment, Vallecano’s energy drained away, their focus now on their crucial second-leg tie against Neman in Europe. Athletic pressed but managed the game professionally to secure all three points.
What This Means for La Liga 2025
The win moves Athletic Club into an early share of the top spot with Villarreal, Barcelona, and Real Madrid, all on six points. With La Liga looking competitive this season, these narrow victories could prove vital later in the campaign.
For Tanzanian fans following La Liga passionately, the story of Athletic Club is one of tradition, determination, and consistency. Their ability to compete without big-money signings makes them a fascinating side to support.
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Final Thoughts
Athletic Club may not always dazzle, but they remain relentless. Their 1-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano was another reminder that in football, efficiency often matters more than flair. As the Basque side continues their unbeaten streak as favourites, Tanzanian fans can look forward to more drama, passion, and opportunities to back their favourite La Liga stars.
