Athletic Bilbao 3 - 2 Real Sociedad: Athletic Bilbao edge out Real Sociedad to end wait for victory in Basque derby

Posted Monday, October 17, 2016 by PA

Athletic Bilbao won their first Basque derby for over four years by beating arch-rivals Real Sociedad 3-2 at San Mames.

The home side lasted tasted victory in this fixture in March 2012 and it was one of the survivors of that team - Iker Muniain - who sparked the comeback after they fell behind to David Zurutuza's first-half goal.

In the last half-hour Aritz Aduriz and Inaki Williams took the game away from the visitors, both scoring and assisting the other, before Inigo Martinez's strike seven minutes from time set up a tense finish.

Raul Garcia and Muniain both had early chances for the hosts, the first blocked and the second saved by Geronimo Rulli, before Sociedad took the lead with their first real attack of note.

Xabi Prieto flicked on a corner and Zurutuza pounced for his second in four matches to give Sociedad a 16th-minute lead.

Williams, Yeray Alvarez, Muniain, Ander Iturraspe and Raul Garcia all had chances before half-time but could not find a way past Rulli.

However, within six minutes Bilbao were level when Raul Garcia teed up Muniain to score from outside the area, his first goal since March 2.

Four of the last five meetings have finished level - and all but one were 1-1 - but Aduriz made another stalemate less likely when he converted Williams' pass just past the hour.

The 35-year-old now has five goals in his last six outings and 21 goals in the calendar year.

Adruriz repaid the favour 18 minutes from time when he set up Williams for Bilbao's third to put a long-awaited victory over their neighbours tantalisingly within their grasp.

Martinez's header from a difficult angle from Asier Illarramendi's cross in the 83rd minute put a seed of doubt in the minds of the hosts but they held on to claim local bragging rights for the first time in a while.