A decisive victory for Athletic Club came in Pamplona, a win weighed against a cautious finish. Osasuna conceded two goals in the opening half, with another strike arriving around the 60th minute as the match unfolded in a tense, controlled tempo.
The team from Arrasate returned to El Sadar with lifted spirits, more than two months after closing the previous league campaign with confidence. Athletic aimed to erase the rough memories from their league opener against Real Madrid at San Mamés and to set a strong tone for the season ahead.
Athletic struck first in the 11th minute. The youngest Williams delivered a precise, curling cross, and Iñaki completed decisively with his right hip, giving the visitors a 0-1 advantage. The Williams-Guruzeta alliance clicked early, working in harmony against an Osasuna side pressing forward in search of an equalizer at that stage.
Who can stop Nico Williams? It’s not essential, because by that moment the scoreline read 0-2 for Athletic in El Sadar. The crowd buzzed as the visitors extended their lead, with the pace and fluidity of Athletic’s approach unsettling Osasuna’s defense. The moment captured the visitors’ growing authority and set the tone for the afternoon.
Since then, Osasuna’s rhythm faltered while Athletic capitalized, gradually extending their control as the white shirts grew more assertive. Valverde’s men pressed high again about twenty minutes later, and Nico Williams evaded two markers to deliver a low cross that Guruzeta converted at will, strengthening the league lead for Athletic.
Rubén García found a clear one-on-one chance against Simón, but the goalkeeper kept the deficit manageable when called into action. The home defense contended with a renewed push, yet the attacking line struggled to sustain momentum. A ground-plan clearance by Mojica against the same Rubén García on the far post missed the target, and the Osasuna collective failed to convert the moment into a lasting threat.
Simón then produced a sharp parry to deny David García, who sought to capitalize on his team’s aerial power. The early confidence of Osasuna turned to doubt, with uncertainty appearing as a constant companion on the scoreboard and on the pitch.
The match shifted after Sancet’s dismissal. A clash between Navarrese and his opponent followed David García’s foul, a sequence that led to a second yellow for the incident, changing the trajectory of the game and giving Athletic a new ground for defense and counterattack to manage.
With the scoreboard pressure mounting, Arrasate adjusted the attack by bringing Rubén García and Budimir into more forward roles. The veteran Betis alumnus received a standing ovation as he entered to help balance the game for a draw that gradually dissolved as clock minutes slipped away.
Osasuna pushed to accelerate the game, seeking a response against a defense that tightened after the red card incident. They found few clear outlets, and the team’s decision-making stalled under the growing pressure. As the clock ran down toward the last quarter, Athletic maintained discipline and organization, aware of the upcoming Conference League tie and guarding the lead with steady, measured defending rather than desperate scrambling.
Notes and observations from this match were discussed by commentators and analysts, who highlighted Athletic’s willingness to press high, the efficiency of the wide play, and the effectiveness of quick transitions in build-up play. The result reinforced Athletic’s early-season intent and offered a tangible demonstration of their tactical plan in a hostile environment. The performance was reflected in post-match summaries from broadcasting partners and club observers alike.