Doblete de Guruzeta, incluido penal agónico, decide Athletic - Elche C. F. en San Mamés y deja al Elche en apuros

Gorka Guruzeta scored twice, including a late penalty, to give Athletic a 2-1 win over Elche in a match that tightened survival concerns for the visitors. Athletic - Elche C. F. unfolded as a tense encounter in which decisions from the referee and VAR shaped the final minutes.

Athletic - Elche C. F.: What happened and what’s new

At San Mamés, Gorka Guruzeta converted two goals in the second half to secure a 2-1 victory for Athletic. His first goal came from a composed finish following a low cross by Yuri Berchiche. The decisive goal arrived from the penalty spot at the 89th minute after a contentious on-field decision that was examined with VAR review and was given following an incident involving a defender and a challenge on a defender from the home side; the defender received a yellow card in the sequence. Earlier in the half, André Silva had levelled for Elche by scoring a penalty on a retaken kick that followed a double-touch on his initial attempt.

The result represented Athletic’s third straight league victory, their first sequence of three consecutive league wins since August. For Elche, the loss extended a winless run to eight matches and left the club positioned 16th in the table, one point above the relegation zone.

Behind the headline

The match featured high drama around set-piece decisions and notable goalkeeper interventions. Elche’s goalkeeper produced several saves that kept his side in contention, and his performance was singled out repeatedly during the game. The penalty that tied the match for Elche required a second attempt after the initial kick was invalidated by a double touch, demonstrating both the fine margins and the application of the rules in live conditions.

For Athletic, the victory continues an upward stretch reflected in three consecutive league successes and was highlighted by the finishing of Guruzeta, who has now recorded two multi-goal games in three matches, including a previous brace in a 4-2 win over Levante earlier in the month. For Elche, the defeat deepens a troubling run of results under their head coach in a match where visible protests followed the final whistle.

What we still don’t know

• Whether the late penalty decision will prompt any formal review beyond the in-game VAR check.
• How the coaching staff of Elche will respond tactically to arrest the eight-game winless streak.
• Any immediate selection or personnel changes for either side in upcoming fixtures.
• The long-term effect of this result on Athletic’s pursuit of higher league placement beyond the immediate momentum.

What happens next

• Athletic builds on momentum: If Athletic converts its current run into further wins, the team could strengthen its position in the upper reaches of the table; trigger—continued scoring from key forwards and defensive consistency.
• Elche enters deeper danger: Continued failure to win may see the club slide closer to relegation pressure; trigger—failure to end the winless streak in the next fixtures while rivals collect points.
• Tactical adjustments for Elche: The coach may alter personnel or formation to reduce errors from build-up play and improve offensive threat; trigger—analysis and reaction to recurring mistakes revealed in recent matches.
• Disciplinary or procedural scrutiny: The contentious late penalty could generate scrutiny of VAR interventions and match officiating in comparable situations; trigger—formal complaints or league review requests following the match.

Why it matters

Practically, the result provides Athletic with short-term momentum and a rare sequence of consecutive league wins this season, reinforcing confidence in forward options that have delivered crucial goals. For Elche, the outcome amplifies relegation anxieties: the club sits only one point clear of the drop zone and has now gone eight games without a victory, a pattern that increases pressure on coaching, selection and immediate results.

In the near term, fans and club officials will watch subsequent fixtures closely to see whether Athletic can sustain its run and whether Elche can halt a downturn that threatens their league status. The match also underscored how marginal decisions and the application of VAR can determine outcomes in tightly contested fixtures, with tangible consequences for both standings and club morale.