Redaccion
A double from Oihan, including goal number 5,000 in LaLiga, and a deadly left-footed shot into the top corner turn the game around against Rayo, extending Valverde’s team’s European lead
A comeback on a crucial day. The 3-1 victory against Rayo Vallecano, after trailing 0-1 at halftime, allows Athletic Club to maintain a six-point lead over Villarreal CF and extend the gap to nine points over Real Betis, positioning them well for a Champions League spot. Sancet, with a brace, goes down in history as the scorer of the 5,000th goal for the Lions. It was the icing on the cake, with Nico Williams setting it up with a clever left-footed shot into the top corner from a short corner kick alongside Galarreta.
It wasn’t easy to break down Rayo Vallecano, who came out determined and threatened with a strike from Pedro Díaz in the first minute. Djaló, active on his return to the pitch, caused early scares for Batalla, although the first clear chance fell to Unai Gómez, cleared by a defender. Guruzeta also tested with a header off target.
Then came the moment that made things difficult for Valverde’s side: a VAR penalty by Vivian on Álvaro García in a play that was called back for a foul after the forward’s shot. Simón saved Pedro Díaz’s penalty, but Pathé Ciss tucked away the loose ball.
After the break, the whistle blew at San Mamés. Athletic, with Maroan and Sancet on the field, almost found the equalizer with a shot from Djaló, but the leveller came from a penalty, a clear foul by Espino on Maroan. Oihan converted it with finesse. He had been Rayo’s tormentor in the first leg with two goals and would add another pair at San Mamés.
Jauregizar, instrumental in the comeback with his strength, set up a cross to Iñaki Williams that proved crucial. The 2-1 goal came from the resulting corner. Nico and Galarreta caught Rayo off guard with a short corner routine, and the younger Williams unleashed a sublime left-footed shot into the top corner.
Maroan and Jauregizar had chances to seal the game, but the final blow came from a lethal counterattack by Sancet, who scored his sixteenth goal of the season, fifteenth in LaLiga. A fantastic right-footed strike to mark the 5,000th goal. The only downside was a physical issue that prevented Iñaki Williams from finishing the match. Rangers await on Thursday, with Athletic and San Mamés, hand in hand, riding high on morale.
