Athletic Club 3–0 Atlético Madrid: Nico Williams and Sancet Inspire San Mamés Victory | LaLiga 2026/27
Meta Description: Athletic Club produced a dominant 3–0 victory over Atlético Madrid at San Mamés on Matchday 4 of LaLiga 2026/27, with Nico Williams, Robert Navarro and Oihan Sancet on target.
Athletic Club 3–0 Atlético Madrid: A Statement Night at San Mamés
Athletic Club produced one of the most impressive performances of the early 2026/27 LaLiga season, defeating Atlético Madrid 3–0 at San Mamés on Matchday 4.
The Basque side delivered a performance full of intensity, confidence and attacking purpose, securing a convincing victory in front of a passionate home crowd.
The official LaLiga record confirms that Nico Williams Jr. scored in the 46th minute, Robert Navarro added a second two minutes later, and Oihan Sancet completed the scoring in the 90th minute.
For new Athletic head coach Edin Terzić, the result represented a major statement. His team combined aggressive pressing with disciplined defending and punished Atlético during crucial moments of the match.
For Diego Simeone's Atlético, meanwhile, it was a hugely disappointing afternoon. The visitors were unable to respond after Athletic's quick-fire double at the beginning of the second half.
Match Overview
| Detail | Athletic Club | Atlético Madrid |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 3 | 0 |
| Competition | LaLiga EA Sports | |
| Matchday | 4 | |
| Venue | San Mamés | |
| Attendance | 48,425 | |
| First-half score | 0–0 | |
| Second-half score | 3–0 | |
| Result | Win | Loss |
The match was played on September 5, 2026, at San Mamés, with José Luis Munuera Montero as referee. LaLiga lists Athletic's starting formation as 4-2-3-1, while Atlético lined up in a 4-4-2.
First Half: Athletic Apply the Pressure
The opening 45 minutes ended goalless, but the scoreline did not fully reflect Athletic's intensity.
Playing in front of their home supporters, Athletic attempted to make the match physical and fast-paced. Their pressing game repeatedly forced Atlético to make difficult decisions in possession.
Atlético had experienced players capable of controlling the tempo, but Athletic's energy prevented Simeone's side from establishing sustained attacking dominance.
The hosts also looked dangerous whenever they moved quickly into the final third.
The first half therefore became a battle of intensity rather than a goal-filled spectacle.
Athletic had laid the foundations.
They simply needed to find the finishing touch.
46' — Nico Williams Opens the Scoring
The breakthrough arrived almost immediately after half-time.
Nico Williams Jr. put Athletic Club ahead in the 46th minute.
The timing was crucial.
Atlético had survived the first half without conceding, but Athletic immediately increased the pressure after the restart and finally found the opening goal.
San Mamés erupted as the hosts took the lead.
The goal changed the psychological balance of the match.
Athletic now had the momentum, while Atlético were suddenly forced to chase the game.
48' — Robert Navarro Doubles the Lead
Athletic struck again just two minutes later.
Robert Navarro made it 2–0 in the 48th minute, giving the home side a remarkable start to the second half.
The goal was devastating for Atlético.
Within the space of just two minutes, a competitive match had turned into a major challenge for Simeone's team.
Athletic's quick-fire double also demonstrated the importance of maintaining concentration immediately after half-time.
The hosts were now playing with enormous confidence.
Atlético Struggle to Find a Response
Trailing by two goals, Atlético attempted to change the momentum.
Simeone introduced fresh players, including Julián Álvarez, while making further changes to the attacking and midfield structure.
However, Athletic remained organised.
Rather than retreat completely, the hosts continued to press and looked comfortable defending their advantage.
This was one of the strongest aspects of the performance.
Athletic did not simply sit deep and hope for the final whistle.
They continued to compete for possession, challenged Atlético aggressively and looked for opportunities to attack in transition.
90' — Oihan Sancet Seals the Victory
The final blow arrived in the 90th minute.
Oihan Sancet found the bottom-right corner with a right-footed effort from the centre of the box to make it 3–0.
The goal completed a remarkable evening for Athletic.
After two goals shortly after half-time, Sancet's late strike put the result beyond any doubt.
It also provided a fitting ending to one of Athletic's most complete performances of the campaign.
Tactical Analysis
Athletic Club: Intensity and Flexibility
Edin Terzić's Athletic showed a clear willingness to play with intensity.
The 4-2-3-1 structure gave the hosts a solid midfield base while allowing their attacking players to find spaces between Atlético's lines.
The key was Athletic's ability to maintain pressure without losing their defensive organisation.
After taking a 2–0 lead, Terzić adjusted the defensive structure, particularly after Yeray Álvarez's injury, with Athletic becoming more conservative while retaining the ability to threaten on the counter. Contemporary reporting highlighted the move toward a 5-4-1 shape during the second half.
That tactical flexibility proved important.
Atlético Madrid: Unable to Recover
Atlético's biggest problem was their response after conceding.
The first goal gave Athletic confidence, while the second arrived almost immediately and left Simeone's side with a huge mountain to climb.
Atlético attempted to change the game through substitutions, but the visitors could not generate enough sustained pressure to seriously threaten Athletic's lead.
Their attacking structure became increasingly predictable, allowing the home side to defend comfortably.
⭐ Key Performers
Nico Williams
Nico Williams Jr. provided the breakthrough at a crucial moment.
His 46th-minute goal transformed the match and opened the door for Athletic's dominant second half.
Robert Navarro
Navarro doubled the advantage just two minutes later.
His goal was arguably the decisive moment of the contest because it gave Athletic a two-goal cushion before Atlético could recover from the first strike.
Oihan Sancet
Sancet completed the scoring with a composed finish in the 90th minute.
His goal put the final result beyond doubt and capped a memorable home performance.
Unai Simón
The Athletic goalkeeper also played an important role in preserving the clean sheet.
Late in the match, Simón saved an effort from Marcos Llorente, helping ensure Atlético could not find a consolation goal.
What the Victory Means for Athletic Club
The result represents a major boost for Athletic Club and Edin Terzić.
After an inconsistent opening to the season, Athletic have now produced back-to-back victories without conceding.
That improvement is particularly significant because the team had entered the fixture with only three points from their first three matches.
The victory over Atlético therefore changes the mood around the club.
It demonstrates that Athletic can compete against one of LaLiga's strongest teams and, when their intensity and attacking quality click, can dominate the contest.
San Mamés once again proved to be a difficult environment for visiting sides.
A Serious Warning for Atlético Madrid
For Atlético, the defeat raises concerns.
The team had started the season with seven points from their opening three matches, but the 3–0 loss exposed several weaknesses.
Atlético struggled to match Athletic's intensity and found it difficult to create consistent danger after going behind.
The defeat also leaves Simeone's side with only one point from their last two league matches after the earlier draw against Villarreal.
The timing is particularly challenging because Atlético face a demanding schedule, including their Champions League meeting with Liverpool.
Final Thoughts
Athletic Club 3–0 Atlético Madrid was far more than a routine home victory.
It was a statement from Edin Terzić's Athletic.
After a goalless first half, the hosts exploded into life after the interval. Nico Williams Jr. scored in the 46th minute, Robert Navarro doubled the lead in the 48th, and Oihan Sancet completed the 3–0 victory in the 90th minute.
Athletic combined energy, tactical discipline and attacking efficiency to overwhelm Atlético.
For San Mamés, it was a memorable afternoon.
For Terzić, it was arguably his first major statement since taking charge.
And for Atlético Madrid, it was a result that highlighted just how much work remains to be done if Simeone's team are to challenge consistently at the top of Spanish football.
Athletic Club have sent a powerful message: San Mamés remains a fortress, and this Athletic side is beginning to find its identity.