Athletic Club 1-0 Las Palmas: Inaki shines in his brother's absence as Bilbao edge past visitors

Athletic Club secured a vital 1-0 victory over Las Palmas in LaLiga, reviving their hopes for UEFA Champions League qualification.

Despite Las Palmas' recent back-to-back wins that lifted them out of the relegation zone, they were quickly brought back to reality after a thrilling late win against Atlético Madrid.

Athletic Club took an early lead in the sixth minute, thanks to Inaki Williams, who skillfully maneuvered past the Las Palmas defense to score from close range.

While aiming for a top-five finish, Athletic's primary focus seems to be on their upcoming UEFA Europa League semi-final, as indicated by the early substitution of playmaker Oihan Sancet.

Although Las Palmas had moments of possession, they struggled to create clear chances in the first half. Athletic increased their intensity after the break, nearly doubling their lead when Alex Berenguer's header hit the crossbar from an inviting cross by Oscar de Marcos.

As the match progressed, Athletic maintained control and looked to secure the win with the introduction of key player Nico Williams. Las Palmas' attack appeared increasingly isolated until Adnan Januzaj nearly equalized with a stunning half-volley from 25 yards that struck the bar.

This opportunity revitalized Las Palmas, leading to quick chances for Jamie Mata and Marc Conda, but they were unable to find the back of the net as the visitors pressed late in the game.

In the end, Los Leones successfully managed the remainder of the match. This outcome solidifies their remarkable performance at San Mamés, where they have suffered only one defeat at home since August 2023 (W22, D12), while also increasing their advantage over sixth-placed Real Betis Balompié to nine points.

On the other hand, Las Palmas stays one point clear of the relegation zone, with a home fixture against Valencia on the horizon.

SportsLigue