
The League
8:00 p.mFebruary 20, 2026
Regular season – 25
San Mamés stadium
Referee: Alejandro Hernández, Spain


Athletic Club


Elx
Turn off the spoiler to see match stats
3.19
Expected Goals (xG)
0.82
Passing by
264 (75%)
Accurate passes
337 (76%)
Turn off the spoiler to see the events of the match
1
G
Unai Simon
6.6
d
Yuri Berchiche
14
d
Aymeric Laporte
7.2
3
d
Daniel Vivian
7.0
d
Inigo Leku
30
m
Alexandre Rego
6.7
16
m
Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta
7.5
9
m
Iñaki Williams (C)
6.6
8
m
Selva Sancet
6.3
m
Unai Gómez
F
Gorka Guruzeta
64′
89′
1
G
Matías Dituro
8.6
d
Pedro Bigas (C)
23
d
Victor Chust
6.9
21
d
Leo Petrot
6.7
8
m
Marc Aguado
6.9
11
m
Germán Valera
7.3
m
Alex Febas
24
m
Luke Cepeda
6.2
15
m
Die Tete
6.3
20
F
Alvaro Rodríguez
7.2

The League Standings – First Division
Qualification/Relegation
- Promotion – Champions League (League phase)
- Promotion – Europa League (League phase)
- Promotion – Conference League (ranking)
- Relegation – LaLiga2
Gorka Guruzeta scored a crucial late penalty to earn Athletic Club a dramatic 2-1 win over Elche in San Mamés.
Athletic Club achieved a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Elche at the San Mamés Stadium. Striker Gorka Guruzeta emerged as the hero, scoring a dramatic late penalty to seal all three points.
Hosts Athletic Club entered the game ninth in the League, aiming for European qualification. Elche, in 16th position, desperately searched for points to avoid relegation.
In the first half, Athletic Club dominated possession and created chances. Elche showed a disciplined defensive system, largely limiting opportunities. Elx defender A. Febas received an early yellow card in the 11th minute.
Athletic pressed relentlessly, registering more shots. Elche’s goalkeeper, Matías Dituro, was vital, making crucial saves. Elx L. Cepeda also saw yellow in stoppage time of the first half.
The break offered Athletic the chance to recalibrate their approach against a stubborn Elche defence. Coach Ernesto Valverde would have pushed for greater penetration.
The second half began with continued pressure from Athletic. The tie was finally broken in the 64th minute. Gorka Guruzeta finished off a well-worked move, assisted by Yuri Berchiche, that sent the home crowd wild.
Elx answered immediately. Just four minutes later, in the 68th minute, Andre Silva calmly converted a penalty to equalize for the visitors, silencing the San Mamés faithful.
With the game heading for a draw, Athletic pushed hard for the winner. The crucial moment came in the 89th minute. P. Bigas of Elche committed a foul in the area and conceded a decisive penalty.
Gorka Guruzeta rose with confidence. He clinically scored his second goal of the night, securing a dramatic late lead for Athletic Club.
The offensive superiority of Athletic Club has been clear, with a xG of 3.19 compared to Elx’s 0.82. The locals unleashed 18 shots (8 on goal), but faced a heroic Matías Dituro who made 6 saves. Elx managed only 2 shots.
This spectacular victory allows Athletic Club to consolidate its position in the League. In Elche, the late concession leaves them discouraged and deeper in the fight to avoid relegation.

