Athletic Club 2-1 Real Sociedad as Berenguer’s penalty settles San Mamés match

Athletic Club lead at half-time and hold on

Athletic Club defeated Real Sociedad 2-1 at San Mamés Stadium, with all three goals arriving before the interval. Iñaki Williams opened the scoring in the 14th minute, converting Nico Williams’ assist for a 1-0 lead. Luka Sučić equalised for Real Sociedad in the 30th minute, making it 1-1. Alex Berenguer then restored Athletic Club’s advantage with a penalty in the 45th minute, leaving the score 2-1 at half-time and at full-time.

The penalty proved decisive in a match where Real Sociedad controlled possession but could not turn that advantage into a result. Real Sociedad had 62% possession and completed 514 accurate passes from 597 total, compared with Athletic Club’s 38% and 307 accurate passes from 366. They also had more total shots, 14 to 13, and more corners, 8 to 5. Athletic Club nevertheless recorded the higher expected-goals figure, 2.97 to 1.42.

Sučić stands out despite defeat

Sučić was the highest-rated player, earning 7.7 after 75 minutes and scoring Real Sociedad’s equaliser. Iñaki Williams also made a decisive contribution with a goal and two shots on target, while Robert Navarro supplied four key passes.

Iñaki Williams was booked in the 45th minute. Real Sociedad received yellow cards for Mikel Oyarzabal, Mamadou Sarr, coach Pellegrino Matarazzo and Jon Aramburu; Hugo Rincón Lumbreras was booked for Athletic Club.

Result changes the immediate picture

The supplied table going into the match listed Athletic Club #7 on 15 points from 10 games and Real Sociedad #5 on 19 points from 11. Athletic Club’s win follows a most-recent pre-match loss, while Real Sociedad add a defeat to two losses at the top of their listed pre-match form.