LaLiga: Valencia 1-0 Athletic Club — Vital Away Win Boosts Safety Hopes

Valencia stun Athletic Club to move clear of relegation zone

A late goal from Umar Sadiq secured three points for Valencia at San Mames, moving Los Che to 12th and leaving Athletic ninth with three games left.

Umar Sadiq’s late header gave Valencia a 1-0 win at San Mames, their first in Bilbao in 16 attempts, pushing them five points clear of the LaLiga drop zone...

Valencia took a major step toward LaLiga survival with a 1-0 win over Athletic Club at San Mames. The result denied Athletic back-to-back home clean sheets for the first time this season and marked Valencia’s first victory in the Basque Country after 16 winless trips, which included eight draws and seven defeats.

Valencia came out fast and caught Athletic off guard early. It took Los Leones about 10 minutes to settle and find their rhythm.

Even after settling, Athletic’s Nico Williams struggled to shake off his marker. Athletic’s first real shot came from Oihan Sancet, but the No. 8 dragged his effort just wide.

Up front for Valencia, Hugo Duro was largely isolated, and while Los Che offered little going forward, they made sure Athletic had to fight for every ball.

It was Duro who won Valencia a penalty against the flow of play after being brought down by Yuri Berchiche. However, when he stepped up to take it, his strike hit the crossbar.

With 10 minutes left in the first half, Nico Williams looked dejected as his injury problems flared up again, and he was quickly replaced by his brother Inaki.

Both sides started the second half with more intensity, but clear chances remained scarce.

When Williams finally broke through the Valencia defense, his powerful shot was straight at Stole Dimitrievski, who held it comfortably.

With 20 minutes left, Valencia brought off Duro, Pepelu, and Diego Lopez. The change paid off instantly as two substitutes, Largie Ramazani and Umar Sadiq, combined on a quick counter-attack. Sadiq finished it off with a strong header past Unai Simon.

The goal opened the game up, but Valencia held firm. Jose Gaya led the defensive effort with six tackles, more than anyone else on the pitch, as Los Che saw out the win.

The victory lifts Valencia to 12th on 42 points, putting them five points clear of the relegation zone.

FT: #AthleticValencia 0-1

🦹‍♂️ Super sub Sadiq gets @valenciacf_en the 3 points!#LALIGAEASPORTS #DESENLACELALIGA pic.twitter.com/oRSbcCBrsI

— LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) May 10, 2026

Athletic remain in contention for European qualification, but with three matches left they sit ninth, just outside the spots that secure a place in Europe next season.