Guruzeta’s Brace, Including an 89th-Minute Penalty, Sends Athletic - Elche C. F. 2-1 in Tense San Mamés Win
Gorka Guruzeta scored twice, including an 89th-minute penalty, to give Athletic Bilbao a 2-1 victory over Elche in a match that finished amid controversy and late tension. The athletic - elche c. f. encounter delivered a dramatic sequence of events — an early finish from a sliding cross, a retaken penalty for Elche, and a decisive spot-kick after a VAR intervention — that leaves both sides with clear short-term takeaways.
Athletic - Elche C. F.: Key moments that decided a tight game
- First goal: Guruzeta opened the scoring in the second half with a composed finish from a low cross delivered by Yuri Berchiche.
- Elche response: André Silva converted a penalty for Elche after the kick had to be retaken because of a double touch on the initial attempt, restoring parity.
- Decisive intervention: Late in the match the referee consulted the VAR monitor over an action involving a defender and an Athletic player; a penalty and a yellow card were awarded, and Guruzeta struck from the spot at the 89th minute to make it 2-1.
Match flow and individual impact
The game swung on two penalty incidents and moments of clinical finishing. Guruzeta’s first goal came from open play, finishing a well-placed cross, while his second was the product of a late review and a pressure situation from the spot. The retaken penalty converted by André Silva had allowed Elche to dream of a point, but the late decision reversed that hope and settled the match for the home side.
The result also highlighted the influence of game management: the contest featured multiple high-stakes interventions and decisive actions in the closing stages. The athletic - elche c. f. scoreline underscored the fine margins that separated the teams on the night.
Standings, momentum and what comes next
The victory was Athletic’s third consecutive league win, their first run of three straight triumphs in the championship since August, a sequence that offers clear momentum and renewed belief in their league aspirations. For Elche, the loss extended a run without a victory to eight matches and left the club hovering in 16th place, just one point above the relegation zone.
Beyond the immediate table implications, the match produced heated moments after the final whistle and visible disagreement on the penalty decision. That reaction reflects the stakes for both sides: Athletic pressing to build consistency and push for higher targets, and Elche fighting to halt a troubling sequence that has dented form and results.
What to watch next
- Athletic will aim to use the three-win streak for sustained momentum in league play.
- Elche must address a winless run and the defensive issues that have left them near the drop zone.
- Individual form of the match-winner and the reliability of key penalty takers are likely to be focal talking points as both teams prepare for upcoming fixtures.
Details from the match — two penalties, a VAR review, and two goals from the same scorer — combined to produce a game that will be dissected in both dressing rooms. For now, Athletic take the three points and a boost of confidence; Elche walk away still searching for a way to convert performances into results.
