Athletic Bilbao vs Sevilla

San Mamés erupted in joy as Athletic Bilbao edged Sevilla 3–2 in a breathtaking LaLiga opener, with Nico Williams at the heart of everything. The young Basque winger not only converted a first-half penalty but also supplied two decisive assists, proving why the club tied him down to a long-term contract. His post-match words, “I stayed here for a reason,” resonated deeply with fans, symbolizing a night where Athletic’s identity and passion carried them through a rollercoaster contest.

From the outset, Athletic pressed Sevilla high, forcing errors and gaining early control of possession. Nico Williams’ penalty and his assist for Maroan Sannadi reflected the reward of their aggressive approach. However, Sevilla responded with tactical adjustments, bringing width and tempo in the second half through Lukebakio and Agoumé, who leveled the score within twelve minutes. Yet, the introduction of Robert Navarro proved decisive—his late strike from Williams’ cross underlined Athletic’s ability to adapt and find solutions when the momentum had swung against them.

The clash at La Catedral unfolded like a script full of twists. Athletic surged ahead 2–0 by halftime, with their supporters in full voice, only to see Sevilla claw back with two quickfire goals that stunned the home crowd. Just when it seemed the visitors might steal a point—or even more—Williams once again carved open Sevilla’s defense to set up Navarro’s winning strike. The drama, noise, and passion of the final minutes made it a contest that reminded fans why football under the lights in Bilbao remains one of LaLiga’s great spectacles.

This was Nico Williams’ night. Every key moment bore his imprint: winning the penalty, converting it with composure, threading the pass for Sannadi’s finish, and later producing a cross of pinpoint accuracy for Navarro’s decisive goal. Sevilla defenders chased him but could never pin him down. Even as Lukebakio and Agoumé fought valiantly to bring Sevilla back, it was Williams’ relentless drive and creativity that tipped the scales. His man-of-the-match performance felt like the announcement of a player ready to dominate LaLiga in the coming years.

“Athletic Triumph in Five-Goal Thriller” might have been the headline splashed across the morning papers after this captivating opener. Athletic showed early sharpness through Williams and Sannadi, but Sevilla’s resilience after halftime nearly turned the game on its head. Goals from Lukebakio and Agoumé gave Sevilla belief, only for Robert Navarro’s late strike to dash their hopes. For Athletic, the result was more than three points—it was a declaration of intent for the season, powered by a local hero in Williams and a team unwilling to fold under pressure.

Watch and Download Athletic Bilbao vs Sevilla full match replay and highlights, At Sunday, August 17, 2025. The match played at Estadio de San Mamés, in LaLiga, Spain.

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