Alaves End 20-Year Wait for Away Win at Athletic Club with 1-0 Victory

Key facts

• Alaves won 1-0 at San Mames, their first LaLiga away victory over Athletic Club in 20 years.
• The only goal came from an Alex Berenguer own goal in the 59th minute after a Denis Suarez cross.
• Athletic Club head coach Ernesto Valverde served the first match of a four-game ban for a red card against Real Betis.
• Nico Williams missed the match due to a muscle injury sustained on international duty with Spain.
• Athletic Club remain second in LaLiga, two points ahead of Alaves in seventh.
• Denis Suarez was named Flashscore Man of the Match for his performance off the bench.

Historic Win Ends Long Drought

Deportivo Alaves secured their first LaLiga away victory over Athletic Club in two decades, winning 1-0 at San Mames on Sunday. The result ended Athletic's perfect home record this season and handed the Basque derby to the visitors in dramatic fashion. The decisive moment came in the 59th minute when Denis Suarez's cross from the right deflected off Alex Berenguer and looped over Athletic goalkeeper Unai Simon into the far post. The own goal was the only strike of a match that saw Alaves claim their first clean sheet and away win of the campaign.

Valverde Absent as Athletic Struggle

Athletic Club returned from the international break without head coach Ernesto Valverde on the touchline, as he served the first match of a four-game suspension following his red card against Real Betis. From an undisclosed vantage point, Valverde watched his team produce an uninspiring first-half performance. The home side managed only one shot on target in the opening 45 minutes, with Mikel Jauregizar's long-range effort forcing Alaves goalkeeper Antonio Sivera into his first meaningful save in the 42nd minute. The lack of attacking threat frustrated the San Mames faithful.

Coudet's Halftime Changes Pay Off

Alaves manager Eduardo Coudet was clearly displeased with his team's first-half display and made three substitutions at the interval, introducing Lucas Boye, Toni Martinez, and Denis Suarez. The changes transformed the visitors' performance. Suarez's impact was immediate and decisive. His cross from the right wing took a wicked deflection off Berenguer, leaving Simon helpless as the ball dropped into the net. The goal validated Coudet's tactical gamble and shifted the momentum entirely in Alaves' favor.

Williams Brothers Missed as Chances Go Begging

Athletic's frustration grew when Inaki Williams squandered a golden opportunity to equalize almost immediately after the goal, sending a diving header fizzing past the far post. He later found his radar with another header, only to be denied by Sivera's quick reflexes. The absence of Inaki's brother, Nico Williams, was keenly felt. Nico had picked up a muscle injury while on international duty with Spain and was unavailable for the match. Without his pace and creativity, Athletic lacked the cutting edge to break down a resolute Alaves defense.

Defensive Discipline Seals First Clean Sheet

Alaves displayed great defensive discipline to keep their hosts at bay for the remainder of the match, clinching their first clean sheet of the season. The backline, marshaled by Sivera, absorbed pressure and denied Athletic clear chances. The victory lifts Alaves to seventh in LaLiga, just two points behind second-placed Athletic Club. For Athletic, the defeat ends their perfect home record but they remain in the upper echelons of the table, though questions about their depth and adaptability without key players now emerge.

What Lies Ahead for Both Sides

Athletic Club will need to regroup quickly as they face a busy schedule without Valverde on the sidelines for three more matches. The team must find solutions in attack, particularly if Nico Williams remains sidelined. Alaves, buoyed by this historic result, will look to build momentum. Coudet's halftime adjustments proved decisive, and the team's newfound defensive solidity provides a platform for climbing the table. The Basque derby result sends a clear message that Alaves can compete with the division's best.

The bottom line

• Alaves ended a 20-year winless streak away to Athletic Club with a 1-0 victory at San Mames.
• The decisive goal was an own goal by Alex Berenguer from a Denis Suarez cross after halftime substitutions.
• Athletic missed head coach Ernesto Valverde (suspended) and winger Nico Williams (injured), exposing a lack of attacking depth.
• Alaves secured their first clean sheet and away win of the LaLiga season, moving to seventh place.
• Athletic remain second but now sit only two points ahead of Alaves, with their perfect home record gone.