Osasuna secured three crucial points after a tough battle with Athletic Club, a 2-0 victory powered by a strong second half. Budimir and Lucas Torró provided the decisive goals, lifting the Pamplona squad to seventh place with only two rounds remaining. That position opens the door to European competition next season, a prize that has the team charging toward the final stretch.
Initially, the first half carried a sense of balance. Athletic’s players grew into the match gradually, probing for openings while Osasuna pressed to assert control. Williams came closest early on, his right-footed strike grazing the side of the net as the defense and goalkeeper held firm. The contest teetered on a knife edge as both sides looked for momentum to tilt the scoreboard and the mood in their favored direction.
The atmosphere grew tenser as the minutes ticked by. A win would lift the Pamplonese side level on points with Bilboulus for seventh, a line that would advance them ahead of their Basque rivals in the table. The endurance test required precision and grit, and Osasuna showed signs they could sustain the fight that the fixture demanded from both teams.
Osasuna dominated the middle of the park as the clock moved forward. Rubén Peña nearly opened the scoring with a speculative shot that troubled the keeper, while Valencia’s Williams worked tirelessly at both ends of the pitch, guarding the danger line and contributing to the buildup when his team needed danger most.
With the restart approaching, Osasuna tightened up their approach. Arreón’s team wore their determination on their sleeves and pressed high. Aitor Fernández had to be alert again, denying Williams with a sharp intervention that prevented a pivotal moment from turning the match in Athletic’s favor. The goalkeeper stood tall to snuff out a potential breakthrough and keep the scoreline intact for his side.
Time ticked away, and the hosts found their breakthrough. Budimir produced a telling moment just after the halfway mark, meeting a precise cross from Moncayola and directing a header past the keeper. Osasuna celebrated the lead as the opposing defense failed to clear cleanly, and the home crowd felt the turning point in the match. Valverde responded by reshaping his lineup, bringing on Sancet and Guruzeta in an attempt to alter the flow of the game.
The momentum shifted in favor of the home team, and a draw looked increasingly unlikely. Zárraga threaded a smart pass inside the box, but Aitor Fernández again produced a crucial save, denying the advancing attacker and maintaining the advantage for Osasuna. The finish line drew nearer, and the home side pressed for a second goal to seal the result and claim the European dream they chased so fervently.
Budimir doubled the lead with a glancing finish that underscored the collective effort of the team. The goal sparked renewed energy across the stadium as Osasuna pushed the tempo and sought to cement their grip on the interval between seventh and European qualification. The chase for a second comeback was intense, with the crowd rallying behind their players and the coaching staff urging composure under pressure.
There was a moment that underscored the pressure of the closing stages. Abde clipped a dangerous free kick that looked to test the keeper, while Moncayola showed resolve and courage to stay in the play and challenge for every ball. The ball bounced around the six-yard box, and a follow-up attempt came off the post, reminding everyone that the match’s outcome remained in the balance until the final whistle. The visitors’ defense held firm, but the push from Osasuna continued to grow more relentless as the clock wound down.
As the finish line neared, the Lions found themselves stretched and pushed to their limits. The pace quickened, and fatigue etched the faces of Athletic’s players. Yet the visitors fought to the end, knowing that every point mattered for their own European ambitions and that Osasuna would not yield easily in front of their home supporters.
When Muñiz Ruiz blew the final whistle, Osasuna’s joy was evident. Their victory nudged Athletic out of seventh place, and the Rojillos clung to the slim hope of Europe, eyeing their next challenge at Getafe and a home fixture against Girona as they continued to chase the dream that began with a collective resolve and a never-say-die attitude. The crowd roared in approval as the team sealed a result that could shape their plans for the coming months.