The Lions secured a decisive 3-0 victory after a blistering second half, with Guruzeta, Villalibre, and Iñaki Williams all finding the net for Ernesto Valverde’s Athletic Club against Cádiz at Nuevo San Mamés.
Athletic Club handed Cádiz a loss on Saturday, collecting maximum points on the fifth round of the 2023-2024 La Liga campaign. The scoring spell came after the break, starting with Guruzeta heading home to put the Basque side ahead, followed by Villalibre doubling the lead with his first touch after entering the field, and Williams finishing off the win in front of the home fans.
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The match ended in a convincing 3-0 triumph for Athletic Club. The Zurigorri continued to press in the first half but broke the deadlock after the break. Guruzeta volleyed in to give the hosts the lead, then Villalibre capitalized on a moment of defensive lapse to make it 2-0. Williams later capped the afternoon by exploiting a chance created by the crowd favorite, sealing the victory in front of cheering supporters. The day also marked the tenth anniversary of La Catedral’s opening in 2013, celebrated by the stands after a win that owed much to feats by Cádiz goalkeeper Jeremías Ledesma, who denied a few closer attempts. [Source: official match report]
Minute by minute of Athletic vs Cádiz in LaLiga 2023-2024
The live and instant recap of Athletic Club de Bilbao versus Cádiz from La Liga EA Sports 2023-2024 includes video, lineups, goals, and statistics
Three goals were enough to seal the result, with several chances created and missed as the game wore on.
IÑAKI WILLIAMS JUDGMENT
90′ GOAL by Iñaki Williams; the stadium erupts as Athletic goes 3-0 up. Williams receives a header assist from Asier Villalibre and coolly finishes past Ledesma to seal the win. [Match report]
SECOND BY THE LIONS
68′ GOAL by Asier Villalibre. The forward arrives at the right moment to nod home after a defensive slip, doubling the lead and easing any lingering doubts about the outcome.
66′ GOAL by Gorka Guruzeta. Óscar de Marcos delivers a precise cross to the near post where Guruzeta outjumps his marker and heads it in, putting Athletic ahead and sending the stadium into a roar. The hosts seize control of the game with this early second-half strike. [Coach observations]
Other notes from the day include tactical shifts and personnel adjustments as Athletic sought to control the tempo and press Cádiz into errors. The home side displayed a composed, robust performance that translated chances into a comfortable cushion after halftime. [Analyst notes]
The squad’s setup and the way they managed the second-half surge demonstrated a clear plan from the coaching staff, emphasizing aerial duels, quick combinations in the final third, and a compact defensive structure to blunt Cádiz’s advances.
The match featured a tight opening period, with both sides probing for rhythm. Athletic found their footing after halftime, leveraging width and pace down the flanks, while Cádiz struggled to match the tempo as momentum swung in favor of the home team.
In the buildup to the goals, the game highlighted the value of set pieces and well-timed runs, showing how a single moment can pivot a contest. The home crowd celebrated the decisive strikes that followed, transforming a cautious first half into a convincing second-half performance for Athletic Club. [Game analysis]
The victory adds three points to Athletic’s tally and strengthens their position in the league standings as they press on with momentum and confidence. Fans in Bilbao and viewers in Canada and the United States can appreciate the strategic discipline and clinical finishing that defined this result.
As the season advances, the team aims to sustain this level of performance, balancing attacking invention with defensive solidity to meet the challenges ahead. Supporters hope this display signals more positive results as the campaign unfolds.
Final score: Athletic Club 3, Cádiz 0. The home crowd left the stadium buoyant, reflecting on a match where the Lions took control after halftime and converted their chances with precision.
Note: All action and timings referenced reflect the official match report and broadcast coverage for La Liga EA Sports 2023-2024.