Athletic Club returned to winning ways and strengthened their push for UEFA Champions League qualification with a composed 1-0 victory over Las Palmas at San Mamés. The result not only reaffirmed their home dominance but also widened the gap between themselves and sixth-placed Real Betis to nine points.
Las Palmas had arrived in Bilbao riding high after back-to-back wins, including a stunning late victory against Atlético Madrid. But their momentum was halted almost immediately, as Athletic came flying out of the blocks. Just six minutes in, Iñaki Williams sliced through the Las Palmas defense with a burst of skill and pace before calmly tucking the ball into the bottom corner from close range.
Though Athletic remain focused on securing a top-five finish, their attention is clearly shifting toward their upcoming UEFA Europa League semi-final. This was evident when manager Ernesto Valverde opted to take off influential midfielder Oihan Sancet early in the first half as a precautionary measure, preserving him for the continental challenge ahead.
Las Palmas responded with some tidy possession play, but they struggled to turn that into meaningful chances, with their attack lacking sharpness throughout the opening 45 minutes.
Athletic came out stronger in the second half, raising the tempo and nearly doubling their lead when Álex Berenguer met Óscar de Marcos’ pinpoint cross with a powerful header that rattled the crossbar. The hosts continued to dictate the rhythm and looked increasingly likely to put the game to bed, especially after the introduction of Nico Williams, who added energy and flair to the final third.
Las Palmas’ attacking efforts were largely disjointed until the final 20 minutes. Substitute Adnan Januzaj almost conjured up a spectacular equalizer with a dipping half-volley from 25 yards that crashed against the crossbar, sparking a late surge from the visitors. Jaime Mata and Marc Cardona had efforts blocked in quick succession, but Los Leones held firm under pressure.
In the end, Athletic Club comfortably saw out the result, preserving their formidable record at San Mamés, where they’ve now lost just once since August 2023. The win keeps their Champions League dream alive and adds further momentum ahead of their European semi-final. Las Palmas, meanwhile, stay just a point clear of the relegation zone, with a crucial home fixture against Valencia looming.
