LaLiga: Athletic Club and Girona FC Play Out Exciting 1-1 Stalemate
Athletic Club and Girona FC played out a thrilling 1-1 draw at San Mames Stadium, with Mikel Jauregizar's stunning second-half strike canceling out Azzedine Ounahi's early goal for Girona.
Girona's defense stiffened after conceding, and they managed to hold on despite growing pressure...
Athletic Club and Girona FC shared the spoils in a thrilling 1-1 draw at San Mames Stadium. Mikel Jauregizar's stunning second-half strike canceled out Azzedine Ounahi's early goal for Girona, denying them their first win of the LaLiga season. Girona had a promising opportunity to take the lead when Vladyslav Vanat found himself one-on-one with goalkeeper Unai Simon, but he unfortunately missed the target.
Girona's momentum paid off as they broke the deadlock with their next attack. Azzedine Ounahi scored his first goal for the club since joining, unleashing a stunning first-time curling strike that thundered in via the underside of the crossbar. This spectacular goal gave Girona the advantage.
Athletic Bilbao's struggles persisted, with the team winning only one of their previous eight Tuesday-held league matches. The first half showed no signs of improvement, as they desperately struggled to create clear-cut chances against Girona. Bilbao's inability to capitalize on scoring opportunities left them vulnerable to Girona's counter-attacks.
Athletic Bilbao's Oihan Sancet had a promising opportunity to score, but his half-volley from inside the area sailed high into the stands, leaving Paulo Gazzaniga unchallenged. This miss was particularly notable given Sancet's impressive hat-trick performance in the corresponding fixture last season. Despite this, Los Leones struggled to create meaningful chances against Girona in the first half.
Coach Ernesto Valverde's decision to make four substitutions at halftime paid off immediately. Mikel Jauregizar, one of the new players, scored a stunning long-range goal just three minutes into the second half, restoring parity for Athletic Bilbao. Jauregizar's rocket-like shot flew straight into the top corner, showcasing his skill and precision.
Girona's defense stiffened after conceding, and they managed to hold on despite growing pressure from Athletic Bilbao. Paulo Gazzaniga made a spectacular save to deny Aitor Paredes' header, and then quickly reacted to prevent Alex Berenguer's effort from crossing the line. This impressive display from the Argentine goalkeeper helped Girona secure a crucial point.
Despite their best efforts and the enthusiastic support of the home crowd, Athletic Bilbao was unable to snatch a winner, leaving them without a victory in three matches. This result extends their winless streak, and they'll need to regroup to get back on track.
Although Girona remains at the bottom of the table without a win this season, the draw is a positive result for the team. Having earned two points from their last three outings, including this stalemate, Girona has reason to be optimistic about improving their standings in the league.
FT: #AthleticGirona 1-1
— LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) September 23, 2025
🤝Shared points at San Mamés #LALIGAEASPORTS pic.twitter.com/qYfkYdM8bA
Key Moments
Girona's Early Chances: Vladyslav Vanat had a golden opportunity to put Girona ahead in the 8th minute but failed to capitalize on his one-on-one chance with Unai Simon.
Jauregizar's Equalizer: Mikel Jauregizar scored a stunning goal in the second half to level the match for Athletic Club, showcasing his skill and composure in front of goal.
Match Statistics: Athletic Club dominated possession with 66% of the ball, while Girona managed 34%. The match saw a total of 21 shots, with 7 blocked and 8 on target.
Current Standings
- Athletic Club: Currently ranked 5th in La Liga with points, having played matches with a win-loss record of.
- Girona FC: Sitting at the 20th position with points from matches, with a record of.
This draw extends both teams' winless runs, leaving them to regroup and strategize for their upcoming matches.
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