Match report: Athletic Club dominates Rayo Vallecano at San Mamés
Athletic Club celebrated a convincing victory, powered by the goals of Guruzeta, Williams, and Nico Williams, sealing a 4-0 win over Rayo Vallecano at San Mamés and moving closer to a potential European place. From the first whistle, the Bilbao side dictated the tempo, and Guruzeta opened the scoring with a precise strike that found the net after just 23 minutes. Pacha Espino’s late own goal in the second half gave Athletic a comfortable cushion, while the elder Williams brother added a late flourish to seal the result.
The win solidifies Athletic’s fifth-place position and temporarily extends their lead over the team chasing them for a Champions League spot. Depending on subsequent results, the gap could widen to four points, yet European qualification would still depend on the upcoming fixtures and outcomes elsewhere in the table. The victory also reinforces Athletic’s strong home form this season at San Mamés.
Rayo Vallecano faced their second away defeat of the campaign and were unable to replicate the performance that has kept them competitive on the road. The visitors’ attack was stifled for long periods, and they could not find a way through Athletic’s defense, which held firm throughout the match. This result leaves Rayo mid-table, with work to do to climb back into contention for European football.
Team news before kickoff saw Vesga sidelined by an injury sustained during warm-ups, forcing Valverde to reshuffle the lineup and bring Herrera into the lineup. The change disrupted the expected balance from the previous match against Girona, but Athletic adapted quickly, maintaining control as the game progressed.
Francisco Rodríguez opted for a cautious approach for Rayo, fielding a lineup that included Pathé Ciss in the attacking setup and adjusting Unai López to the midfield. Despite the tactical tweaks, Athletic established dominance early on, already securing two corners by the end of the first minute and then breaking through in the 14th minute when Guruzeta beat Dimitrievski to put Athletic ahead.
Although the home side believed a later goal would be disallowed due to a very close offside call on Iñaki Williams that involved a cross from the right, the moment of truth came when Guruzeta added a second goal midway through the first half, heading past the goalkeeper to extend the lead. The celebrations intensified as Guruzeta’s seventh of the season put him in clear sight of last season’s scoring pace.
The assist that led to the second goal came from a Sancet pass that forced a foul from a Rayista midfielder, allowing Williams to pounce on a ball won from Oscar Valentín. The play culminated with Navarrese’s pass slicing through the defense and finding the San Sebastian native, who calmly finished.
Rayo tried to respond as the half wore on, but their chances were limited by Athletic’s compact shape and disciplined defending. The visitors registered a few shots that failed to threaten Unai Simón, and Athletic looked to extend their advantage before the break but could not convert more chances from Iñaki Williams and De Marcos.
The second half opened with a moment of uncertainty due to a risky exchange involving Lekue and Unai Simón, followed by a dangerous counter from Pathé Ciss that briefly unsettled the hosts. However, Athletic regained control and pushed forward in search of a third goal that would seal the result.
A misfortune for Rayo further widened the score when a cross from Williams deflected off Pacha Espino and found the net for an own goal, making it 3-0. Williams then capped the afternoon with a superb team goal that mirrored the best of Athletic’s attacking play: a move starting with Nico Williams, finished by Iñaki Williams, and culminated by a late cross from Guruzeta for the elder Williams to volley home and bring his tally to seven for the season.
The day ended with a reminder of the potential for more goals as Nico Williams nearly added another in stoppage time after a rapid solo run, hitting the woodwork with a shot that could have capped a memorable afternoon for the Williams brothers and their supporters.
Data sheet:
Athletic Club: Unai Simón; De Marcos, Vivian, Nolaskoain, Paredes, Lekue; Herrera, Galarreta; Iñaki Williams, Sancet, Nico Williams; Guruzeta. Substitutes used: Yuri, Prados, Berenguer, Muniain, De Marcos.
Rayo Vallecano: Dimitrievski; Balliu, Lejeune, Moomin, Hawthorn; Oscar Valentín, Unai López; Isi Palazón, Trejo, Álvaro García; Camel. Substitutes used: Kike, De Frutos, Chavarría, Falcao.
Goals: 1-0, 23 min Guruzeta; 2-0, 47 min Espino, own goal; 3-0, 64 min Iñaki Williams; 4-0, 68 min Nico Williams.
Referee: Francisco Hernández Maeso. Yellow cards: Vivian, Espino, Falcao. Attendance: 44,689.
Events: Matchday 15 of La Liga EA Sports.