Athletic Club - Rayo Vallecano

Athletic Club made it two wins from two at the start of this season as they defeated Rayo Vallecano 1-0 at San Mames on Monday evening thanks to an Oihan Sancet penalty.

The attacking midfielder, returning from injury, forced the penalty and scored by sending Augusto Batalla the wrong way. The goal was well deserved after a brilliant second-half performance by Ernesto Valverde's Lions.

Iñigo Pérez's Rayo Vallecano side, true to their style, arrived in Bilbao with the intention of pressing high and making life difficult for the Lions.

Jorge de Frutos threatened early on, while Athletic barely created any danger in the early stages, save a Maroan nod on that Alex Berenguer skewered wide. Things changed as Nico Williams found his stride, the Rojiblanco genius forcing a good save from the Rayo goalkeeper.

Sancet came on for Maroan at half-time and Athletic stepped up the pressure. Nico played a good ball to Iñaki and the elder Williams sent a shot just over the bar.

Supported by monumental defensive work, Athletic grew in confidence. Nico again showed signs of danger, going close with two close-range efforts.

Rayo enjoyed their only clear chance of the half, via De Frutos on the counter-attack. Seconds later, in the 62nd minute, Mikel Jauregizar stole the ball from Rayo's defence and Sancet beat Gerard Gumbau to the ball and won a penalty, after a VAR check.

Oihan stepped up and converted it with composure. The Rojiblancos had to fight until the end, and Unai Gómez even had a chance to make it 2-0.

Three delicious points, with the Champions League opponents to be announced on Thursday. We now visit La Cartuja, an Athletic fan favourite after the 2023/24 Copa del Rey final, to face Real Betis with six points already in the bag.