90 years since Athletic’s first League title
90 years since Athletic’s first League title
On 16 March 1930, the red-and-white team won the first of its eight Leagues titles after beating FC Barcelona 4-3 at San Mames
Today, March 16,, 90 years ago, Athletic Club won the League for the first time after beating FC Barcelona by 4 goals to 3 at San Mames. The lions won the second edition of the domestic championship, which had been won by the team from Barcelona in the opening match of the competition the previous year.
The lions managed to secure the title on Matchday 16, with two matches still to be played in a League in which ten teams took part, the same as in the first edition: Arenas Club, Athletic Club, Atlético de Madrid, FC Barcelona, RCD Espanyol, CD Europa, Real Santander RC, Real Madrid, Real Sociedad and Real Unión.
In the match in which they won the title, Athletic beat Barça after a dazzling start to the match that allowed them to get 3-0 on the scoreboard right after 25 minutes thanks to the goals of Chirri II, Gorostiza and Lafuente. The reaction of the team from Catalunya was even quicker since they managed to draw in three minutes with goals from Diego (35′), Bestit (37′) and Arocha (38′). The thrilling Sunday afternoon at San Mames had its best possible epilogue with an 82nd-minute goal from Guillermo Gorostiza (top scorer in that edition of the league with 20 goals), which helped Athletic lift the first of their eight League titles.