In a closely contested match on April 12, 2026, Villarreal triumphed over Athletic Club with a score of 2-1 at San Mamés. This victory not only marked a crucial three points for Villarreal but also represented their first league double over Athletic Club since the 2010/11 season.
The match saw Gorka Guruzeta, Athletic Club’s top goalscorer with 14 goals across all competitions, attempting to lead his team to victory. However, Villarreal’s defense proved resilient, particularly Luiz Junior, who has kept just one clean sheet in his last ten games. Despite Athletic Club’s efforts, they have now gone 15 La Liga games without a clean sheet, a worrying trend for the team.
Villarreal opened the scoring early, with Sergi Cardona netting his first goal since August 2024, giving the visitors a 1-0 lead. Athletic Club responded with pressure, making a fast start to the second half as they searched for an equalizer. However, they struggled to seriously test Luiz Junior, who remained firm in goal.
Alfon Gonzalez, who joined Villarreal on loan from Sevilla in January, added to the scoreline, marking his first goal for the club. This put Villarreal ahead 2-0, and while Athletic Club managed to pull one back, it was not enough to change the outcome of the match. Nicolas Pepe thought he had restored Villarreal’s two-goal lead late in the game, but his strike was ruled out by VAR due to an offside in the build-up.
Villarreal’s performance has been impressive this season, as they have not lost after opening the scoring in La Liga, boasting a record of 16 wins and 3 draws in such scenarios. Meanwhile, Athletic Club’s recent form has been mixed, with their last ten league games including 4 wins, 4 losses, and 2 draws. The contrast in their performances highlights the challenges Athletic Club faces as they continue to seek consistency.
As the match concluded, Villarreal solidified their position in the league, now all-but guaranteeing a UEFA Champions League place for the next season. The atmosphere at San Mamés was a mixture of disappointment for the home fans and celebration for the traveling supporters, who witnessed their team achieve a significant milestone.
First reactions from the teams indicated a clear divide in morale. Villarreal’s players expressed satisfaction with their performance, while Athletic Club’s squad acknowledged the need to improve defensively. The defeat adds pressure on Athletic Club as they look to bounce back in their upcoming fixtures, while Villarreal will aim to maintain their momentum as they push for a top-four finish.