Deportivo Alavés - Athletic Club

It came at just the right time. A 2-4 victory over Deportivo Alavés that will be remembered for years to come.

It lacked the glamour of a win that would secure a Champions League spot, unlike two others achieved by Ernesto Valverde. But it came on a key day, the most fitting and well-deserved for the manager - the evening he reached 500 matches as Athletic Club head coach.

The number 1 breathed a sigh of relief as he secured the team’s survival and ensured they remain fight in the fight for Europe with four fixtures remaining.

Like the whole season, the match was hard work. Despite being well-organised on the pitch, Athletic conceded an early goal to Antonio Blanco and found themselves on the back foot. There was even a moment of tension after a harsh penalty was given against them. Fortunately, it was overturned by VAR for offside.

Athletic were a different side after the break, playing under a downpour reminiscent of days gone by. A triple substitution, bringing on Robert Navarro, Oihan Sancet and Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta, changed everything.

Navarro equalised in the 47th minute, his eighth goal of the season, from the very first ball he touched. Oihan led the comeback once again with a stunning goal that made it 2-2, cancelling out a previous defensive error that had allowed Nahuel Tenaglia to put Alavés back in front from a corner.

That glimmer of hope, that thunderbolt from Sancet in the 74th minute, in the very same net where he had left his mark with another stunning goal last year, opened the floodgates.

Nico Williams finished off two brilliant moves to spark tremendous jubilation, with the entire bench rushing onto the pitch to celebrate and Valverde raising his arms wide in a gesture of victory. Two passes from Gorka Guruzeta and two quality touches from the younger Williams brother.

It was a day for mothers and a special victory for them as they watched their sons play with pride whilst wearing their names.