Substitution Blunder Hands Athletic Club Narrow Win Over Rayo Vallecano
Athletic Club made it two wins from two in the new La Liga season, edging out a brave Rayo Vallecano side 1–0 at the iconic San Mamés in Bilbao.
Despite the hostile atmosphere, the visitors showed no fear from the first whistle. Jorge de Frutos, Isi Palazón, and Álvaro García caused real problems for the home defence with their pace and directness, while goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski—filling in after last-minute changes—stood firm, denying several attempts from the Williams brothers, Iñaki and Nico.
The second half saw Ernesto Valverde’s side up the intensity, and the breakthrough came in the 65th minute after a costly error by substitute Gerard Gumbau. Just minutes after coming on, Gumbau committed a clumsy foul in the penalty area, gifting Athletic a spot-kick.
Oihan Sancet, back from injury, stepped up and calmly converted the penalty—his return proving decisive. From there, the Basque side managed the game well, holding on to the slender lead and climbing into the top half of the La Liga table.
2025-26, Spain - La Liga
Athletic Bilbao - Rayo Vallecano 1:0 (0:0)
Goals: Sancet, 66 (penalty) (1:0)
Athletic Bilbao: Simón U.; Vivian; Paredes; Areso; Yuri Berchiche; Ruiz I. (Prados, 67); Jauregizar; Alex Berenguer; Inaki Williams; Nico Williams; Sannadi (Sancet, 46)
Bench: Perez Alex; Gorosabel; Boiro; Vesga; Lekue I.; Etxebarria U.; Nico Serrano; Navarro Ro.; Guruzeta
Rayo Vallecano: Batalla; Chavarría; Díaz Р. (Pérez Fr., 55); Luiz Felipe; Álvaro García; Lejeune; Ratiu; Ciss P.; López U. (Gumbau, 55); Palazón; De Frutos
Bench: Cárdenas; Balliu; Espino; Fernandez P.; Nteka; Valentín Ó.; Trejo; Camello
Yellow Cards: Ratiu 22; López U. 23; Álvaro García 71
