Athletic Bilbao claimed a crucial 2-0 win over Fenerbahce in the Europa League on Wednesday, with Inaki Williams scoring both goals to secure all three points for the Spanish side.
The victory sees Bilbao rise to the top of the group standings, ahead of Lazio and Eintracht Frankfurt, who still have fixtures to play.
The Ghanaian striker was in clinical form, finding the net twice in the first half to put Bilbao in a commanding position.
His brace earned the visitors their third consecutive win across all competitions, further boosting their momentum as they chase European glory.
Williams, who plays alongside his younger brother Nico at the Spanish club, opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, finishing off a well-executed team move.
The 29-year-old doubled his tally just before the break, putting the result beyond doubt with a composed strike past Fenerbahce’s goalkeeper.
With this crucial win, Athletic Bilbao now sit at the summit of their Europa League group with 16 points from six games.
Their perfect record includes five victories and a single draw, putting them three points clear of Lazio and Eintracht Frankfurt, who are yet to play their respective matches.
Fenerbahce, under the management of Portuguese tactician Jose Mourinho, struggled to break down Bilbao’s resilient defense and were unable to respond to the goals.
The Turkish side now finds itself in a precarious position, with just eight points from six matches, placing them 15th in the standings.
With their hopes of progressing to the knockout rounds hanging in the balance, Fenerbahce will need to regroup and improve ahead of their final group fixtures.
For Williams, the two-goal performance was another reminder of his quality, having already been a key figure for both his club and country.
The win also serves as a timely boost for Athletic Bilbao, who will be aiming to extend their fine form as the competition progresses.
The result caps an impressive evening for the Spanish side, which continues to build on its strong performances in Europe.
With a commanding lead at the top of the table, Bilbao looks poised for a deep run in the tournament, while Fenerbahce faces an uphill battle to secure qualification for the next stage.
