Soccer Football - LaLiga - Athletic Bilbao v Atletico Madrid - San Mames, Bilbao, Spain - December 16, 2023 Athletic Bilbao fans celebrate after the match REUTERS/Vincent West
(Reuters) -Gorka Guruzeta and Nico Williams scored second-half goals to give Athletic Bilbao a 2-0 home 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, Ernesto Valverde's team dominated proceedings but were often frustrated by inspired Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak, who made several fine saves to keep his side in the game.
Nico and his brother Inaki Williams put on a show at a sold-out San Mames stadium. They were constantly menacing their rivals' defence and both hit the post in the first half.
The locals wasted a golden opportunity in the 34th minute when Ohian Sancet missed from the penalty spot after Nico Williams was fouled inside the box.
Diego Simeone's Atletico looked distracted and far from the relentless side that breezed past Lazio 2-0 on Wednesday to secure top spot in Champions League Group E, the first time since 2016 that they have reached the knockouts as group winners.
Pressured by a confident Bilbao team that came into the match unbeaten in their last eight games in all competitions, they held out until the 51st minute when Inaki Williams made a brilliant individual play to set up the opening goal.
He dribbled past three rivals, passing to Ander Herrera who lifted a perfect cross to Guruzeta at the far post for the striker to tap the ball into the net.
Nico Williams secured the points with an outstanding strike into the top corner 13 minutes later. Pressured by two defenders on the right side of the box, the 21-year-old Spain winger cut inside and unleashed an unstoppable curling shot into the net.
"I am very emotional. It went very well for us today. It was a difficult match but we are a very ambitious team. This is the way," Nico Williams told Movistar Plus.
"I'm very grateful. These fans have given me everything and San Mames has to be a fortress.
"We dream, but match by match. Hopefully we'll be in Europe next year."
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.
(Reporting by Fernando Kallas; Editing by Hugh Lawson and Clare Fallon)
