Athletic Bilbao’s impressive six-match unbeaten streak across all competitions came to a stunning halt in a thrilling encounter with Girona, where the hosts snatched a 2-1 victory at the death. The late drama saw Cristhian Stuani score a 99th-minute penalty, ending Girona’s six-game winless run. It was a tale of missed chances, denied penalties, and last-second heroics, providing a football spectacle to remember.
First-Half Drama: Missed Penalty and Brilliant Response
The game kicked off with Bilbao showing early promise, but mistakes were quickly pounced on. Girona’s goalkeeper, Paulo Gazzaniga, made an early blunder with a risky pass to Miguel Gutiérrez, who was pressured soon by Álex Berenguer. Berenguer pounced on the mistake, but his shot lacked precision and went wide.
Berenguer soon had a chance to redeem himself after winning a penalty following a VAR check, which determined that Arnau Martínez had fouled him in the box. The tension rose as Berenguer stepped up, but Gazzaniga quickly saved his tame effort, keeping the game level.
Athletic pushed for the opener, with Gorka Guruzeta flashing a volley just wide after receiving a lovely scooped pass from Oihan Sancet. That missed opportunity returned to haunt them as Girona capitalized on their next big chance. Yáser Asprilla floated a tricky cross into the box. Gutiérrez distracted Athletic’s defense with a clever run, allowing the ball to find its way into the net for the opening goal.
Despite the setback, Athletic responded swiftly. Berenguer was again involved, delivering a stunning chipped pass that Sancet controlled and slotted in to equalize. Unfortunately, the Bilbao man injured himself in the process and needed to be replaced by Unai Gómez. The first half ended 1-1, leaving both teams hungry for a second-half breakthrough.
Penalty Chaos: Athletic’s Triple Misfortune
The second half kicked off with Athletic Bilbao dominating possession, looking for a way to take the lead. Arnaut Danjuma had a golden opportunity but couldn’t convert, and the game took a shocking turn when Girona’s defenders gave away another penalty, this time for a foul on Iñaki Williams.
Williams took charge of the spot-kick, but Gazzaniga saved his effort. The drama wasn’t over yet – Gazzaniga had moved off his line prematurely, forcing a retake. This time, veteran Ander Herrera stepped up, but incredibly, he couldn’t find a way past the Girona goalkeeper. Three missed penalties for Bilbao highlighted the moment’s tension and handed Girona a huge lifeline.
Girona’s Resilience and Last-Minute Heroics
Girona, buoyed by their goalkeeper’s heroics, looked to hit Bilbao on the counter. Asprilla continued to cause problems, hitting the bar with a deflected shot, while Dani Vivian nervously diverted a cross from Arnau Martínez behind. The home side pressed hard, with Yangel Herrera testing Athletic’s goalkeeper Álex Padilla with a well-placed effort that forced a spectacular save.
As the game approached its climax, it seemed destined for a draw. However, in the dying seconds, a twist in the tale unfolded. Girona was awarded a penalty of their own, and Cristhian Stuani stepped up, coolly slotting home to make it 2-1. Unlike Athletic’s earlier penalty takers, Stuani held his nerve, sending the Girona fans into wild celebrations.
What’s Next?
This win sees Girona climb to 11th place, a much-needed victory before the international break. However, their fight to balance domestic competition with their European commitments becomes less accessible as they face Real Sociedad next. On the other hand, Athletic Bilbao will be desperate to find its rhythm again when it hosts Espanyol, seeking to end its three-game winless streak in La Liga.
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Key Takeaways:
- Athletic Bilbao’s unbeaten run ended after missing three penalties in a dramatic 2-1 loss to Girona.
- Girona’s victory was secured by a last-minute penalty from Cristhian Stuani, ending their six-match winless streak.
- Gazzaniga’s penalty saves were the match’s highlight, denying Bilbao multiple times.
- Both teams head into the international break with much to ponder as they gear up for their next fixtures.
Girona will aim to build on this momentum, while Bilbao must regroup and find their defensive solidity again. Football is full of twists; this game was a perfect example of why we love the beautiful game!
