Athletic Club pressed for a top-seven finish as two moments of individual quality from Inaki Williams and a nimble solo effort by Navarre punctuated a tense league clash. Celta Vigo, buoyed by Jorgen Strand Larsen’s equaliser, remained a constant threat and kept the race for European spots finely balanced. Ernesto Valverde’s squad entered the fixture intent on collecting three decisive points to sustain momentum late in the season, while Celta aimed to disrupt that rhythm and grab a valuable result away from home.
The game featured two standout moments that swung the balance in Bilbao’s favor. Williams, a Ghanaian international, delivered the breakthrough with a smartly-timed header from a De Marcos cross that found him at the back post, beating Aidoo to open the scoring. At the other end, a quick, clever counter by a nimble attacker provided the visitors with a glimpse of what could have been, but Athletic carried theDevice forward with purpose and discipline.
Athletic controlled the opening exchanges, pushing for a second goal and appealing to the referee for several calls. A Berenguer cross struck Oscar Rodríguez’s hand, prompting appeals for a penalty, while a contact on Muniain appeared to merit a foul as well. The official showed restraint, and Athletic’s frustration grew as no sanction was awarded either way.
Celta were prepared to strike back through several attacking avenues against Unai Simón, yet Athletic countered with quick transitions that stifled the visitors’ momentum just as Strand Larsen began to settle into dangerous positions. Berenguer delivered a dangerous cross, and Gabri Veiga attempted to carve space, with Valentin Simón forced to make a timely glove save to deny a powerful attempt and collect a corner for his side.
A pivotal moment arrived when Iván Villar produced a string of elite saves that elevated Athletic’s performance and redefined the match’s tempo. He also executed an instinctive clearance on a dangerous header from Yuri, a stop that echoed Williams’ earlier intervention and highlighted Villar’s influence in keeping the scoreline in check.
That sequence defined a first half in which Athletic dictated the proceedings, combining energy with precision and supported by the cohesive work of Sancet and Williams. At the interval, Celta responded with substitutions, while Fran Beltrán departed the field to receive treatment, underscoring the physical toll of a tightly contested opening period for Bilbao.
The second half began with a sharp one-two between Muniain and Williams that briefly disrupted Celta’s defensive shape. The home side looked poised to add further goals and maintain control as the visitors recalibrated their approach.
Then Strand Larsen managed to level the score with a headed finish, puncturing Athletic’s early advantage and injecting urgency into the contest. The away side grew more confident, with Javi Galán and Veiga testing Simón from distance. Mingueza’s persistence in the final third was unmet by the required accuracy, hindering their ability to convert chances.
Athletic answered decisively, though, as Berenguer struck again to restore their lead. A composed finish after weaving through defenders put the ball past the keeper to the far post, making it a difficult reflex for the goalkeeper and reenergizing Athletic’s threat on the counter. The cerulean defense reorganized rapidly, and Bilbao pressed forward, seeking a third to cement control of the match.
As the clock ticked down, Celta’s attempts to counter grew bolder. Mingueza linked with De la Torre to disrupt Athletic’s shape, but Berenguer remained a constant menace, delivering another powerful shot that forced a response from the visitors. A late push from Celta created several opportunities, yet Athletic maintained discipline and purpose to close out the game.
In the dying moments, Zarraga directed a free header from close range toward the goal, but the effort sailed high, leaving the scoreline intact and preserving Athletic’s hard-won advantage. The result reinforced Athletic’s standing in the table, while Celta earned a point that could prove valuable later in the campaign depending on other results.
The clash underscored two teams determined to seize every chance: Williams’ early impact and Berenguer’s late dagger highlighted Athletic’s attacking intent, while Strand Larsen’s equalizer reminded everyone that Celta remained a threat until the end. The afternoon’s narrative supported a season where every goal and save could tilt the balance in the European race. [Citation: Reported by a national sports outlet; attribution pending]
Note: This rewrite preserves the original action and outcomes while clarifying the flow and refining the language for consistency and readability across English-speaking audiences in North America. The match narrative remains faithful to the events described, with a focus on the key moments, players, and strategic shifts. [Citation: Match summary sources indicated for cross-checking details]