In a dramatic La Liga encounter at Estadio de Vallecas, Athletic Bilbao overcame an early setback to secure a 2-1 victory against Rayo Vallecano, thanks to a game-changing performance from Nico Williams.

A Night of Determination and Drama

Rayo Vallecano drew first blood in the 14th minute when Randy Nteka pounced on a defensive error to rifle a left-footed shot into the net. With the home crowd roaring, Athletic Bilbao found themselves on the back foot but refused to back down.

The visitors began to assert control, dominating possession with 53% and testing Rayo’s defense with 12 shots. Nico Williams, bursting with energy and flair, emerged as the catalyst for Athletic’s resurgence.

In the 65th minute, the Spanish-born Ghanaian winger dazzled with his creativity, delivering a perfectly timed assist to Oihan Sancet. The midfielder made no mistake, slotting the ball home from a difficult angle to restore parity.

Twelve minutes later, Athletic sealed the comeback in stunning fashion. Óscar De Marcos provided an assist for Sancet, who unleashed a powerful strike from outside the box, leaving the goalkeeper helpless.

A Williams Family Affair

Nico’s elder brother and team captain, Inaki Williams, played a crucial role in leading the team’s attacking charge before being substituted in the 64th minute. The Williams brothers’ influence continues to be a defining feature of Athletic Bilbao’s attacking threat.

Eyes on the Prize

The victory not only extended Bilbao’s impressive record against Rayo Vallecano—12 wins in their last 19 encounters—but also boosted their confidence ahead of a formidable test against Real Madrid on December 4th.