Hoping to continue their ongoing momentum after equalling their best-ever points tally (7) from the opening five matches of a LL campaign, the visitors got off to the perfect start in Basque Country. Leading by example, Óscar Trejo celebrated opening his goalscoring account for the season with the travelling Los Franjirrojos supporters after Sergio Camello laid it on a plate for the Rayo captain to tap into an exposed net. However, Athletic were denied the chance to bring the scoreline level in the 10th minute when Oihan Sancet’s venomous strike was ruled out for an offside in the build-up. Nonetheless, Ernesto Valverde’s side only had to wait four minutes to get back on level terms when Dani García’s defence-splitting pass was clinically slotted past Stole Dimitrievski by Iñaki Williams.
Not at all discouraged, Isi Palazón was inches away from restoring his side’s lead when his long-range strike rebounded back off the angle of the post and crossbar. However, with the half-hour mark fast approaching, Sancet was not to be denied again, as the Spanish midfielder inconspicuously arrived into the area to redirect Álex Berenguer’s cross into the right-hand corner. Nico Williams completed Los Leones’ merciless 19-minute spell in the 33rd minute, when Athletic’s no.11 raced down on goal before inserting past the beleaguered onrushing silhouette of Dimitrievski to celebrate his maiden call-up to Luis Enrique’s Spain squad.
Looking set to build on their deep-rooted bragging rights over Rayo after five victories in their last seven H2H encounters, the hosts were close to a fourth goal, but Dimitrievski somehow denied Iker Muniain. The Macedonian international’s save appeared to be pivotal, as Camello reduced the arrears to one, only for VAR to again ruthlessly intervene and rule out Camello’s strike for an offside.
With time running out for Rayo, Radamel Falcao once again demonstrated his proficiency in front of goal, acrobatically slotting past Unai Simón to set up an intriguing final 10 minutes. However, the Colombian’s strike was ultimately only a consolation, as Athletic Bilbao held onto their slender advantage until the FT whistle.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Oihan Sancet (Athletic Bilbao)