Bilbao beat Atletico 2-0 to move nearer Champions League spots
Athletic Bilbao powered to a convincing 2-0 victory over a flat Atletico Madrid on Saturday in La Liga to close the gap on the top four. Ernesto Valverde's side, fifth, moved within two points of champions Barcelona, fourth, who visit Valencia later on, and third-place Atletico.
- Sports
- Reuters
- Published Date: 08:35 | 16 December 2023
- Modified Date: 08:35 | 16 December 2023
Gorka Guruzeta and Nico Williams scored second-half goals to give Athletic Bilbao a 2-0 win over Atletico Madrid on Saturday, lifting the Basque side up the LaLiga table to two points from the Champions League spots.
Unbeaten at home since losing to Real Madrid in their season opener in August, Athletic dominated proceedings but wasted a golden opportunity early in the first half when Ohian Sancet missed from the penalty spot.
But the locals kept up the pressure and opened the scoring with a close-range strike by Guruzeta in the 51st minute. Nico Williams secured the points with an outstanding strike into the top corner 13 minutes later.
Athletic are fifth in the LaLiga standings on 32 points, two behind Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, who have a game in hand. Girona are the leaders on 41 points, two ahead of Real Madrid.
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