Sevilla finally halted a worrying four-match winless streak in La Liga by staging a spirited comeback to defeat Athletic Bilbao 2-1 at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán, recording their first head-to-head league victory over the Basque side since April 2023 and easing lingering relegation fears.
The hosts began the contest jittery and were almost punished inside the opening minutes when Odysseas Vlachodimos strayed well off his line.
Íñigo Ruiz de Galarreta seized the opportunity to shoot from long range, but his effort drifted narrowly wide of the far post, extending his goal drought that stretches back to November 2023.
That early let-off proved crucial. Sevilla then thought they had taken the lead when Aitor Paredes turned the ball into his own net, only for the referee to chalk it off after Nemanja Gudelj was penalised for a foul in the build-up.
Athletic eventually made their pressure count through Robert Navarro, who continued his fine form following his midweek Champions League heroics against Atalanta.
The winger reacted quickest after Vlachodimos parried Urko Izeta’s delicate chip, poking home from close range to hand the visitors the advantage.
Sevilla’s response was swift and emphatic. Just two minutes later, Peque restored parity with a cool finish into the bottom corner after Juanlu Sánchez picked him out, ensuring the sides went into the break level.
Momentum stayed with the Andalusians after the restart, and they were handed a golden chance to go ahead when Yuri Berchiche was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the box.
Super Eagles striker, Akor Adams, stepped up and showed great composure, sending Unai Simón the wrong way to score his sixth La Liga goal of the campaign.
The goal prompted an immediate reaction from Ernesto Valverde, who introduced Nico Williams among a double substitution, but Athletic struggled to generate any real threat in the closing stages.
Sevilla managed the game well, limiting the visitors to half-chances as they saw out a vital victory.
The result lifts Matías Almeyda’s side up to 11th place, drawing level on points with Athletic Bilbao, who must now regroup quickly ahead of a crucial European clash against Sporting CP in midweek.
