Alberto Moleiro emerged as the match-winner as Villarreal secured a 1-0 triumph over Athletic Bilbao, marking their third consecutive victory in La Liga.
The decisive goal came late from the bench, helping the Yellow Submarine continue their fine run following wins against Osasuna and Sevilla.
Villarreal controlled key moments despite Athletic dominating possession in the opening stages.
Early on, Santiago Mourino tested Unai Simón with a powerful strike that soared over the bar, while Gorka Guruzeta twice troubled Villarreal goalkeeper Luiz Junior.
After a largely uneventful first half, Moleiro broke the deadlock in the 77th minute. Sergi Cardona’s far-post cross caused chaos in the Athletic box, and a poor clearance allowed the substitute to fire a crisp half-volley into the near post.
Athletic nearly forced a late equalizer as Alejandro Rego’s spectacular long-range effort rattled the bar, but Villarreal held firm to claim all three points.
The victory lifts Villarreal to third in the LaLiga table, behind Real Madrid and Barcelona, while Athletic remain in eighth place, level on 10 points with Elche.
It also ended Villarreal’s four-game winless streak against the Basque side, with their first league win over Athletic since May 13, 2023.
Marcelino’s men have been defensively solid, keeping clean sheets in three of their seven league matches this season—the most of any team so far.
Despite having fewer clear-cut opportunities, Villarreal were clinical, converting an xG of 1.07, whereas Athletic, with an xG of 1.46, were undone by poor finishing.
