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 delivered two pivotal moments that swung the balance in Bilbao’s favor. Williams, a Ghanaian international, delivered the opener with a well-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 sharp counter by a quick attacker provided the visitors with a glimpse of what might have been, but Athletic advanced with purpose and discipline.
Athletic controlled the early exchanges, pushing for a second goal and appealing to the referee on several occasions. A Berenguer cross struck Oscar Rodríguez’s hand, prompting penalty appeals, while a hit on Muniain appeared to merit a foul as well. The official remained unmoved, and Athletic’s frustration grew as no sanction was awarded either way.
Celta prepared to reply through several attacking avenues against Unai Simón, yet Athletic countered with rapid transitions that disrupted the visitors’ momentum just as Strand Larsen began to threaten. Berenguer delivered a dangerous cross, and Gabri Veiga tried to carve space, with Valentin Simón forced to make a timely glove save to deny a powerful effort and gather a corner for his side.
A turning point arrived when Iván Villar produced a string of elite saves that elevated Athletic’s performance and shifted the match’s tempo. He also executed an instinctive clearance on a dangerous header from Yuri, a stop that echoed Williams’ earlier intervention and underscored Villar’s influence in keeping the scoreline in check.
That sequence defined a first half in which Athletic dictated the tempo, 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 crisp one-two between Muniain and Williams that briefly unsettled Celta’s defensive setup. 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 thwarted by 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.