The 85th-Minute Earthquake That Shook the Title Race at San Mamés
Worth Watching Futmetrix Score: 52/100. Athletic Club delivered a statement victory in the dying moments at the Estadio de San Mamés, toppling the league leaders in a six-pointer that exposed the intensity gap between ambition and execution.
Chaos Breaks the Deadlock
For 84 minutes, the Estadio de San Mamés had hosted a chess match—cautious, tactical, suffocating. Then Álex Berenguer arrived with a sledgehammer. His 85th-minute finish, orchestrated by the brilliant Nico Williams, shattered Atlético Madrid's five-game winning streak and transformed Athletic's season trajectory in a single, devastating moment. Williams' creative genius—two key passes and the assist that mattered most—proved that balance matters less than precision when the stakes are highest.
The Possession Paradox
Atlético arrived as overwhelming favourites: fourth-placed, 31 points, five consecutive wins, 56% possession. Marc Pubill anchored a defence that had conceded just 11 goals all season. Yet Athletic's 44% possession concealed a sharper cutting edge—14 shots to Atlético's 8, more clinical finishing when it counted. The home side's xG of 1.05 proved decisive; Atlético's 0.77 was a reminder that dominance without ruthlessness is merely theatre. Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta orchestrated Athletic's midfield resistance with a 7.9 rating, winning the battle where titles are often decided.
A Six-Pointer With Upset Credentials
This was a crunch match in the truest sense—Athletic seventh on 20 points, Atlético fourth on 31. The upset factor was real: Athletic had lost six times already this season, their form erratic (WLWLL). Yet they delivered when it mattered most. Eleven corners generated intensity throughout; Athletic's set-piece pressure and late-game aggression finally breached the Atlético fortress. When Berenguer's boot found the net in the 85th minute, the narrative shifted entirely.
What Changes Now
Athletic Club proved they belong in this conversation. Atlético's invincibility myth cracked. The title race just became unpredictable.
Key Questions
How dramatic was the late winner by Berenguer?
Seismic. In the 85th minute, with Atlético's five-game run intact, Berenguer struck. Williams' assist turned desperation into destiny.
What does this mean for Athletic Club's season?
A watershed moment. Athletic snapped their erratic form (WLWLL) with a character-defining win that signals serious title ambitions ahead.
Why is this match rated 52/100?
Our Futmetrix algorithm analyzed intensity, balance, and stakes. The final score of 52/100 places this match in the "Worth Watching" category.
