Sofia Quijada
Nico Williams marked his return to full fitness in style, firing Athletic Club to a gritty 1-0 win over Real Oviedo in their first LaLiga meeting in nearly 25 years. The Basque side’s victory halts a three-game winless run, while Luis Carrión’s struggling Oviedo remain rooted to the bottom after six matches without a win (D2, L4).
Williams Delivers the Moment of Quality
Seeking a response after consecutive league defeats, Ernesto Valverde’s men controlled early possession and dictated the tempo without truly testing Aaron Escandell. That changed in the 25th minute when Williams produced a flash of brilliance — gliding past two defenders before unleashing a thunderous strike off the underside of the crossbar. It was a goal worthy of the occasion, and a reminder of why the young winger is considered one of Spain’s most electric attacking prospects.
Oviedo’s False Dawn and Missed Chances
Oviedo almost hit back immediately. Ilyas Chaira thought he had equalised with a clever finish through Unai Simón’s legs, only for the tightest offside call to deny Los Azules a rare moment of joy. The reprieve proved crucial, as Simón later produced a fine save to deny Leander Dendoncker right before half-time — a timely intervention that underlined the Spain international’s composure after a turbulent few weeks.
Nico Williams Fires. Source: Official Facebook
Second-Half Control, Limited Threats
Despite Oviedo’s poor scoring record — just seven league goals this season — there was faint hope given that 85% of Athletic’s conceded goals had come after the break. Yet any optimism quickly faded as Athletic managed the game expertly, maintaining shape and composure even after Williams was withdrawn around the hour mark to protect his recovering hamstring.
The hosts continued to probe, with Alex Berenguer lashing narrowly wide late on, while Simón stayed sharp at the other end to snuff out the few counters Oviedo could muster. By full time, Athletic’s dominance was clear, though their wastefulness prevented a more comfortable scoreline.
What This Means for Both Sides
For Real Oviedo, defeat leaves them in a familiar position — bottom of the table and still chasing their first league win in five (D2, L3). However, the narrow margin and improved defensive shape will offer minor consolation. Athletic Club, meanwhile, rise to seventh and record just their second away win of the campaign, a step in the right direction as Valverde looks to reignite their European push.
Key Takeaway
It wasn’t vintage Athletic, but it was efficient. And with Nico Williams back in form and fitness, Los Leones finally have the creative spark they’ve been missing. If he stays healthy, their ambitions for a top-six finish look well within reach.