Valencia ended Athletic Bilbao’s 14-game unbeaten streak across all competitions after edging the Basque club 1-0 in the Spanish league on Saturday.
Striker Hugo Duro tilted the closely contested match at Mestalla Stadium in the hosts’ favor in the 61st minute when he outjumped Yuri Berchiche and headed in José Gayà’s cross to the far post.
Athletic, which only fields players from the Basque Country region and neighboring areas, has surpassed expectations this season. Ernesto Valverde’s side entered the round in third place and is in the thick of a fight for a Champions League berth. Barcelona is level on points with Athletic and the defending champions visit Real Betis on Sunday. Athletic’s previous defeat was at Barcelona in October.
Athletic’s defense, anchored by Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón, had only conceded one goal to an opposing player in its previous nine games overall before Duro struck the winner with his powerful header. It was his ninth goal of the campaign.
Credit: apnews.com
