Nico Williams Double Seals Athletic Club's 4-2 Comeback Win at Alavés

Key facts

• Athletic Club defeated Alavés 4-2 at Mendizorroza on 2 May 2026.
• Nico Williams scored in the 83rd and 87th minutes.
• Robert Navarro opened the scoring for Athletic Club in the 46th minute.
• Oihan Sancet added a goal in the 74th minute.
• Alavés remain 17th with 36 points, two above the relegation zone.
• Athletic Club sit 8th with 44 points, five points off the Europa League spot.
• Attendance was 19,125 at Mendizorroza.
• Carles Aleñá received a yellow card for a bad foul.

Second-Half Surge Decides the Contest

Athletic Club overturned a first-half deficit to beat Alavés 4-2 at Mendizorroza on Saturday evening, with Nico Williams scoring twice in the final seven minutes to seal the victory. The result leaves Alavés in 17th place with 36 points, just two points above the relegation line, while Athletic Club climb to eighth with 44 points. The match, played in front of 19,125 spectators, began with both sides probing cautiously. The deadlock was broken just after the interval when Robert Navarro struck in the 46th minute, giving the visitors a lead they would not relinquish.

Navarro's Opener and Sancet's Strike Build Momentum

Robert Navarro's goal came immediately after the restart, a clinical finish that put Athletic Club ahead. Oihan Sancet doubled the advantage in the 74th minute, seemingly putting the match beyond Alavés' reach. Alavés, managed by Quique Sánchez Flores, responded with urgency. Abde Rebbach was caught offside as they pushed forward, and Carles Aleñá received a yellow card for a bad foul. Despite their efforts, they could not find a way back into the game before Nico Williams took over.

Nico Williams' Late Double Seals the Win

Nico Williams scored twice in quick succession, first in the 83rd minute and again in the 87th, to put the result beyond doubt. His second goal capped a dominant attacking display from Athletic Club, who had controlled possession for much of the second half. The goals extended Athletic Club's unbeaten run and highlighted the depth of their squad, with Williams' pace and finishing proving decisive in the closing stages.

Alavés' Relegation Fears Intensify

Alavés remain in 17th position with 36 points, only two points clear of the relegation zone occupied by the 18th, 19th, and 20th placed teams. The defeat at home, where they had hoped to build on recent form, leaves them with little margin for error in the remaining fixtures. Manager Quique Sánchez Flores will need to address defensive lapses that allowed three second-half goals. The team's inability to hold onto a lead or recover from deficits has been a recurring issue this season.

Athletic Club's European Ambitions Stay Alive

With 44 points, Athletic Club sit eighth, five points behind sixth place, which secures a UEFA Europa Conference League qualifying spot. The win keeps them in contention for European football next season, a key objective for the club. The performance, particularly the contributions from Nico Williams and Oihan Sancet, demonstrated the team's attacking potential. Athletic Club will look to build on this result as they push for a top-six finish.

Match Statistics and Key Incidents

The match at Mendizorroza kicked off at 5:30pm UK time on Saturday 2nd May 2026. Athletic Club's goals came from Robert Navarro (46'), Oihan Sancet (74'), and Nico Williams (83', 87'). Alavés' goalscorers were not named in the available reports. Alavés had a corner conceded by Aymeric Laporte, and Ángel Pérez won a free kick on the right wing after a foul by Robert Navarro. Jesús Areso won a free kick in the defensive half for Athletic Club. The only booking was Carles Aleñá's yellow card for a bad foul.

Outlook for Both Sides

Alavés face a tense run-in as they fight to avoid relegation. Their next matches will be critical in determining whether they can secure survival. Athletic Club, meanwhile, have momentum and a clear target: closing the gap to the European places. The contrasting trajectories of the two teams were evident in this match. Athletic Club's composure and finishing under pressure proved decisive, while Alavés must regroup quickly to arrest their slide.

The bottom line

• Nico Williams scored twice in the final seven minutes to secure a 4-2 win for Athletic Club at Alavés.
• Robert Navarro and Oihan Sancet also scored for Athletic Club, who dominated the second half.
• Alavés remain 17th with 36 points, only two points above the relegation zone.
• Athletic Club sit eighth with 44 points, five points off a European qualification spot.
• The match was played at Mendizorroza in front of 19,125 fans on 2 May 2026.
• Carles Aleñá was the only player booked, receiving a yellow card for a bad foul.