Athletic Bilbao delivered a commanding performance to secure a 4-1 victory over Espanyol, with brothers Inaki and Nico Williams playing pivotal roles in the triumph. Inaki Williams notched a brace, while younger brother Nico provided a key assist as Athletic overpowered their opponents.
The hosts wasted no time asserting their dominance at San Mamés, breaking the deadlock just six minutes into the match.
Nico Williams, known for his blistering pace and creativity, carved through Espanyol’s defense before delivering a perfectly weighted cross to Dani Vivian.
The defender made no mistake, calmly slotting the ball into the back of the net to give Athletic a 1-0 lead.
The early goal set the tone for the rest of the match, as Athletic Bilbao continued to press forward with relentless energy.
Their pressure paid off again in the 28th minute when Inaki Williams latched onto a loose ball inside the box and fired it past the Espanyol goalkeeper to double the lead.
Just two minutes later, Inaki was at it again.
Taking advantage of a defensive lapse, the forward coolly finished off a flowing counter-attack, grabbing his second goal of the night and putting the Basque side firmly in control with a 3-0 advantage before the half-time whistle.
Espanyol, reeling from the quick-fire goals, struggled to contain Athletic’s fluid attacking play.
The visitors barely posed a threat going forward, and their defense was repeatedly undone by the pace and precision of the Williams brothers and their teammates.
The second half continued much in the same fashion, with Athletic Bilbao showing no signs of easing off.
Their fourth goal came in the 61st minute, courtesy of Alex Berenguer, who capped off an impressive performance with a well-taken finish.
Berenguer, instrumental in setting up Inaki Williams’ earlier goals, found himself in the right place at the right time to put the game beyond doubt at 4-0.
Espanyol managed a late consolation goal deep into stoppage time, with a strike in the 92nd minute, but it did little to mask their overall struggles throughout the match.
Athletic Bilbao’s defense had been solid, and their midfield controlled the tempo, ensuring the visitors were limited to very few chances.
Inaki Williams’ two goals and Nico’s assist underlined their growing influence at the heart of Athletic’s attack.
The victory not only highlighted the seamless partnership between the Williams brothers but also showcased Athletic Bilbao’s attacking prowess, leaving Espanyol with little chance of recovery.
With this emphatic win, Athletic Bilbao continues to push forward in their La Liga campaign, while Espanyol faces an uphill battle to find consistency.
The Williams brothers, meanwhile, will look to build on their performances, driving their team towards further success this season.
