Villarreal defeated Athletic Club 2-1 at San Mamés, allowing coach Marcelino García Toral to end his losing streak at the stadium. Goals from Sergi Cardona and Alfon secured the win for the yellow team, consolidating third place in LaLiga. Athletic pulled one back through Guruzeta but could not draw level.
Marcelino García Toral returned to San Mamés without yielding to nostalgia and led Villarreal to its first away win at the stadium. The visitors took the lead before halftime with a goal from Sergi Cardona, who chipped the ball after a pass from Oluwaseyi.
In added time of the first half, an error by Iñigo Lekue let Alfon score the 0-2 against Unai Simón. Though Athletic showed intensity, it failed to convert chances, such as Jauregizar's shot that grazed the post.
After the break, Ernesto Valverde's team improved with contributions from Nico Williams and Yuri Berchiche. Guruzeta pulled one back from a cross by the Zarautz player, igniting San Mamés and pushing for a draw.
Villarreal withstood the pressure, with key saves by Luiz Júnior against Laporte and Navarro. A long-range effort from Mikautadze nearly caught them out, but the yellow submarine managed the closing minutes to claim a prestigious victory and strengthen its league standing.
