Athletic Bilbao crush Simeone’s flat Atletico 3-0

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Atletico Madrid’s Argentine coach Diego Simeone reacts during the Spanish league football match between Athletic Club Bilbao and Club Atletico de Madrid at San Mames Stadium in Bilbao on September 5, 2026. (Photo by ANDER GILLENEA / AFP)

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Athletic Bilbao thumped Atletico Madrid 3-0 in La Liga on a miserable Saturday afternoon for Diego Simeone’s side.

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Nico Williams, Robert Navarro and Oihan Sancet’s goals gave the Basque hosts a resounding victory at their San Mames stadium.

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Athletic secured back-to-back wins under former Borussia Dortmund coach Edin Terzic, after losing their first two matches of the campaign.

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Simeone’s Atletico fell to their first defeat of the season, putting up little fight in the second half after Athletic made the breakthrough with two quick strikes from Williams and Navarro.

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“Their two goals, in the blink of an eye, did us a lot of damage,” Atletico’s Pablo Barrios told Movistar.

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Striker Julian Alvarez, who tried to leave the club to join Barcelona this summer, returned as a substitute after illness in an ineffective second half appearance.

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The visitors had the better of the opening period, although they failed to create many clear-cut chances after an early opportunity for Lee Kang-In.

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The South Korean international struck a shot against the post in the third minute after the hosts were carved open.

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Athletic goalkeeper Unai Simon saved from Alex Baena as Atletico threatened, while Sancet came close at the other end with a blast into the side-netting.

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Pablo Barrios hit the post before the break for Atletico, who were sucker-punched early in the second half by Terzic’s side.

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The Williams brothers combined for Athletic’s first, with Inaki’s deflected shot headed home by younger sibling Nico after 46 minutes.

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Navarro doubled Athletic’s lead in the 48th minute, steering home after Inaki Williams played him in.

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Atletico coach Simeone rang the changes, including sending on want-away striker Alvarez to little effect.

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The Argentina international struggled to get involved in the game and Sancet wrapped up Athletic’s victory in the 90th minute when he stroked home a loose ball after a blocked cross.

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On Sunday La Liga leaders Barcelona visit Valencia looking to move clear of Real Madrid, who lost 1-0 at Real Betis on Friday, among other fixtures.

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