Athletic 1-0 Atletico: Berenguer's Late Goal Wins the Day

San Mamés Erupts as Berenguer's Late Strike Sinks Atletico

In a LaLiga EA Sports showdown dripping with tension, Athletic Club secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Atlético de Madrid at San Mamés. The decider arrived in the 85th minute through a spectacular Alex Berenguer goal, leaving the hosts celebrating and the visitors nursing their second consecutive defeat.

The match was a tale of two halves dominated by Athletic's relentless pressure. Ernesto Valverde's men controlled the tempo from kickoff, peppering Jan Oblak's goal with 9 first-half shots—though only one truly tested the Atlético keeper. Nico Williams was a constant menace, his dribbling skills tormenting the visitors' defense, while Guruzeta's near misses left San Mamés buzzing with anticipation.

Atlético, despite their struggles, nearly struck first. When Sorloth headed wide in the 87th minute, the stage was set for Athletic's counter-attack. Nico Williams surged forward, exchanged passes, and delivered a perfect ball to Berenguer. The winger, stationed just outside the box, unleashed a venomous left-footed strike that curled past Oblak and nestled into the far corner.

Key Moments and Turning Points

• Unai Simón's Heroics: The Athletic keeper made a crucial stop on Griezmann's dangerous free-kick in the 89th minute, preserving their narrow lead.
• Nico's Resurgence: Despite battling pubalgia, Williams grew into the game: "Poco a poco me he encontrado más cómodo," he admitted post-match.
• Atlético's Frustration: Pablo Barrios summed up the visitors' despair: "Te vas jodido. Encima ha sido después de una ocasión nuestra y a la contra nos han marcado."

"Ha sido un partido redondo. El año pasado también íbamos así y nos hicieron un gol en el descuento. Debíamos explotar nuestras posibilidades y afortunadamente ha caído de nuestro lado."
— Ernesto Valverde, Athletic Manager

Atletico's woes continued under Simeone, whose tactical adjustments failed to spark their attack. Koke marked his 500th LaLiga appearance, but the legendary midfielder couldn't lift his side. "Es el tercero que perdemos e intentamos en cada partido tener más atención," Simeone conceded.

League Implications

This result significantly alters the title race. Barcelona now enjoys a commanding 9-point lead over Atlético, who have faltered both at the Camp Nou and San Mamés. Athletic, meanwhile, bounce back from their midweek loss to Real Madrid, with Valverde hailing the win as "much-needed" momentum.

With 48,904 roaring fans at San Mamés—among the season's best turnouts—the victory resonates deeply in Bilbao. As Valverde noted, they "han disfrutado del ambiente de San Mamés," a fortress that once again proved inhospitable for visitors.

What's Next?

Atlético must regroup quickly to avoid slipping further behind, with a trip to Getafe looming. Athletic will look to build on this result, targeting consistency as they chase European qualification.

San Mamés has once again proven a cauldron of passion and power. As the dust settles, Athletic celebrates a deserved triumph while Atlético confronts uncomfortable questions about their away form.