Athletic earned a comeback at Mestalla with goals from Nico Williams and Oihan Sancet, responding to Samu Castillejo’s opener. Valencia faced a decisive rival in Unai Simón, whose performance helped the visitors secure a crucial win and edge closer to the European spots, while Valencia slipped toward the relegation zone.
Athletic pressed with purpose against a Valencia side that was fighting to escape the lower table. The home crowd was sparse, and parts of the stands echoed with discontent as locals watched the Basque team threaten down the right flank through Nico Williams. Valencia managed to shut down those avenues, resist the pressure, and launch counterattacks whenever the moment allowed, turning the game into a tactical chess match.
Eight minutes in, Cavani attempted to lift Valencia with a measured cross from Gayà, but the Uruguayan striker could not convert before the ball drifted wide. He left the field in the 16th minute due to injury and was replaced by Hugo Duro. Valencia, sensing a slump easing, steadied themselves and built a fluent counterattacking sequence that culminated in Castillejo’s equalizer from a sharp combination involving Ilaix, Lino, and the forward.
The away fans began to voice their support as the match unfolded, while a notable portion of the audience directed chants toward the club’s ownership. Musah made a timely intervention to block a shot from Vivian, clearing the danger in the middle of Lekue’s positioning.
A moment of brilliance followed when Hugo Duro produced a stunning finish, prompting an outpouring of admiration from supporters. Valencia, inspired by the goal, pressed on, while the visitors looked to reclaim the lead and silence the home crowd.
Valencia continued to press with a series of attempts from Ilaix and Diakhaby, showing resilience despite a late push by Athletic. The visitors endured pressure as Unai Simón made several outstanding saves, including a dramatic denial of Castillejo’s powerful strike, preserving Athletic’s advantage.
The second half saw Athletic intensify their play, creating more danger than in the opening period. Yet a stubborn Valencia reappeared, with the goalkeeper’s decisive interventions keeping the scoreline tight and frustrating Athletic’s forwards. Valencia remained focused on keeping possession and translating it into meaningful chances, but the visitors maintained the edge when it mattered most.
In the end, Athletic extended their advantage, securing victory at Mestalla once again. The match finished with Athletic’s disciplined defense and clinical finishing proving decisive, while Valencia reflected on the missed opportunities and their continued fight to climb away from the relegation zone. The final whistle signaled another hard-fought result, underscoring the ongoing tension in the league as both teams push toward their respective goals for the season.