El equipo vasco avanza a semifinales de la Europa League

The Basque team imposes (2-0) San Mamés before Rangers FC and, with goals from Sanket and Nico Williams, advances to the Europa League semifinals.

The athletics club did not fail at San Mamés and qualified on Thursday for the Europa League 2024-2025 semifinals, after defeating Scottish side FC Rangers 2-0 to break the draw in Glasgow and secure their third European semifinal in history.

The Vizcaíno team reaffirmed their theoretical superiority over a rival who struggled in the first half and posed more of a challenge in the second half. Ohanan Sanket’s penalty goal was crucial in the final moments of the first half, followed by Nico Williams, despite not playing his best game, sealing the win in the final stages as the visitors pushed for an equalizer. Thirteen years after losing the final to Atletico Madrid, they will now battle for the title at their stadium against Manchester United.

The match began with a vibrant atmosphere and a record attendance at San Mamés (52,114 spectators), with Iñaki Williams absent from the starting eleven. The teams tried to set a fast pace, with Ernesto Valverde’s team gradually taking control.

Sanket had two good opportunities to score, but his efforts were thwarted by the Rangers’ defense. Athletic Bilbao maintained defensive intensity, led by Ruiz, Galarreta, and Mikel Jauregizar, successfully containing the threats posed by Barry Ferguson’s team.

Rangers FC managed to neutralize Nico Williams through Tabernier, but struggled to contain Sanket. The forward posed a constant threat to the Rangers’ defense and eventually capitalized on a mistake to score.

After the break, Rangers pushed forward, with Cerny leading the charge. Agirrezabala faced more challenges in goal, but the Rangers failed to create clear-cut opportunities.

Ernesto Valverde made substitutions to maintain control, with fresh legs in the form of Beñat Prados, Ruiz de Galarreta, and Gorka Guruzeta. A well-timed cross from Marcos found Nico Williams, who sealed the victory with a header. Rangers failed to find a goal, allowing Athletic Club to celebrate their passage to the semifinals.

Result: Athletic Club – Rangers FC (1-0 at halftime).

Athletic Club lineup: Aortiezabala; Por Marcos, Vivian, Yeray Álvarez, Leku; Galarreta (Prados, Min.74), Jauregizar; Berenguer (Vesga, Min.87), Sannet (Unai Gómez, Min.82), Nico Williams (Djaló, Min.87); and Sannadi (Guruketa, Min.74).

Rangers FC lineup: Kelly; Tavernier, Soutar, Balogun (Igamane, Min.50); Yilmaz (Barron, Min.23), Raskin, Hagi (Nsiala, Min.46), Jefté; Barron; Cerny (Dano Pereira, Min.84), nuestro diamante (Bajrami, Min.84); and cajones.

Goals:
1-0, minute 45+4. Sanket, penalty.
2-0, minute 80. Nico Williams.

Referee: Irfan Peljto (Bih). Bookings: Sanket (min.51), Athletic Club; disertaciones (min.19), Balogun (min.32), Tabernier (min.77), Rangers FC.

Stadium: San Mamés.

FUENTE