Bakambu's Dramatic 90th-Minute Rescue: Five-Goal Thriller Stuns Athletic

Must Watch Futmetrix Score: 86/100. A chaotic masterclass in late-game drama where Athletic Club dominated with numerical advantage but surrendered a point to a resilient Real Betis in stoppage time.

Red Card Before the Whistle

Before a ball was kicked, Alex Padilla was sent off for a pre-match altercation, handing Betis a numerical edge. Yet the intensity never wavered. Athletic pressed with 15 shots to Betis's 9, maintaining 50% possession despite playing with 10 men. The balance of the contest tilted constantly—a sign of two teams unwilling to surrender.

Paredes Seizes Control

Marc Bartra's own goal at the hour gave Betis a 1-0 lead, but Aitor Paredes restored parity with a 85th-minute header. Fourteen corners, 24 combined shots, and a scoreline that swung twice in five minutes—this was upset territory. Athletic looked destined to steal three points despite their numerical disadvantage.

Bakambu's Last-Gasp Salvation

Then came the 90th minute. Cebolinha Bakambu, a substitute since the 72nd, received a perfectly weighted pass from Junior Firpo and fired past the keeper. Betis—the team playing with an extra man—had stolen a point from the second-placed Athletic, who arrived unbeaten with three straight wins. The stakes were clear: Athletic (9 points) chasing the title race, Betis (4 points) fighting for relevance.

The Numbers Tell a Story Athletic Won't Forget

Athletic's 85% pass accuracy and 6 shots on target spoke of control. Betis's 82% accuracy and 2 on target spoke of efficiency. But in La Liga, the scoreboard is judge and jury. A match that should have belonged to Athletic—superior in possession, shots, and tactical setup—ended in heartbreak. Bakambu's intervention in the 90th minute proved that even numerical advantage and dominance can crumble in the final breath.