Athletic Club - Atlético de Madrid
Matchday 17
Liga

Athletic Club - Atlético de Madrid

Athletic Club
Athletic Club
20
Atlético de Madrid
Atlético de Madrid
  • 51' Guruzeta
  • 64' N. Williams

LocationSan Mamés , Bilbo

48.781 assistants

Athletic beat Atletico in Bilbao

Monumental performance as the Lions defeat Atletico Madrid on an unforgettable day at The Cathedral

There is none other like Athletic. The tune which was thundered for the legendary Jose Angel Iribar as we unveiled his sculpture outside San Mames serves equally as well for the spectacular team Ernesto Valverde has put together.

A monument in the morning and even more so in the afternoon. The Lions beat Atletico 2-0 to leave us dreaming of a place in Europe. And what's more, Athletic could have won 5-0 against Diego Simeone's powerful squad, as Oihan Sancet missed a penatly, the Williams brothers both hit the post and Jan Oblak was at his imperious best - and all of that before the break.

The siege continued after the restart and the ever-present Gorka Guruzeta, and Nico Williams, with world class goal, made it 2-0.

We have not seen San Mamés like this afternoon in a long time. The specactle put on by Los Rojiblancos had the fans in ecstasy.

The hurricane Sancet set up Guruzeta early on, but the strker was denied at close range by Oblak.

In the 11th minute, Iñaki Williams sent another Sancet delight against the post. Moments later Nico Williams drove into the box before it cutting it back for Oihan, who's effort was hit straight at the Slovenian keeper.

Athletic were almost toying with Atletico. Then Soyuncu's gave away a penalty, fouling Nico in the box. Sancet sent it over, but it didn't matter. The charge continued and it was an electric Nico who hit the post this time.

In other circumstances, Atlético would have already conceded four by half-time. The Lions did the most difficult thing: they kept believing in the face of so much misfortune. And of course, playing such wonderful football at the same time.

El Txopo deserved a goal and the fans, who roared like it was a European night, deserved it too.

Early in the second half, in the 51st minute, Ander Herrera pulled out his magic wand and found Guruzeta at the far post. The striker made no mistake.

The moment of the evening came 13 minutes later. Nico took a touch, cut inside and fired in a powerful effort with his left foot. Nothing Oblak could do. For the last 125 years we've celebrated goals like that with scarves in the air, and today was no different.

Unai Simón then kept out Marcos Llorente in the visitors best chance of the match.

Valverde rung the changes, bringing on Mikel Jauregizar for his LaLiga debut and Unai Gómez, who almost got a third.

The San Mames faithful were on their feet applauding as the referee blew for full-time.

Jon Rahm, a world number one, took a ceremonial kick-off, and we paid tribute to our fans as Iribar and Iker Muniain presented commemorative badges to Miguel Isasi, the last 125th anniversary ambassador.