CA Osasuna - Athletic Club

Athletic Club have started 2026 with a 1-1 draw against CA Osasuna at El Sadar.

A well-placed shot from Gorka Guruzeta, following a great assist from Robert Navarro, saw the Lions kick off the new year with a point on the road.

It was a tough match for Athletic, who had to fight hard to recover after Rubén García put the hosts ahead with a suprise free-kick.

The Lions will need to improve in the second half of the season if they want to qualify for Europe for a third year running. We have 24 points at the moment but need keep putting more on the board.

Nonetheless, Guruzeta's goal provides an important morale boost heading into Wednesday's Supercopa clash with FC Barcelona in Saudi Arabia.

The Zurigorri got off to a difficult start in Pamplona. Osasuna won the duels and threatened early via Ante Budimir, Jon Moncayola and Lucas Torró. Unai Simón saved the first two, but couldn't stop a long-range free kick from García.

Athletic stepped up a gear in the period before half-time, with Guruzeta, who had been on fire all evening, forcing Sergio Herrera into two saves.

Athletic came out with renewed energy after the break and Herrera almost messed up when he caught an Iñaki Williams shot but his hands hit the crossbar.

Ernesto Valverde's changes from the bench brought more impetus and, after a powerful Torró shot that grazed the post, Guruzeta made it 1-1 in the 71st minute. Navarro picked out the forward in the box, who scored with a calm finish.

The Lions even had a chance to win the match in the dying moments. Nico Serrano cut the ball back for Navarro, but the winger's close-range shot was blocked by a defender.

Now it's time to rest and go all out for an upset against FC Barcelona in Jeddah.