Athletic Club vs Eibar

Eibar struck first inside four minutes. Malcom Adu (listed as Adu Ares by Athletic Club) capitalised on a defensive lapse to slot home and give the visitors an early lead. Athletic responded through Gorka Guruzeta in the 25th minute, the striker continuing his pre-season scoring run with a composed finish inside the box to make it 1-1.

But Eibar reclaimed the advantage before half-time. Javi Martón restored the lead in the 33rd minute, sending the Armeros into the break 2-1 up at the interval.

Terzic made two changes at half-time — introducing Asier Hierro for Guruzeta and Mikel Santos for Álex Padilla — but the young forward could not find an equaliser despite several chances. Athletic then made eight substitutions around the hour mark, one of whom, Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta, tested the Eibar goalkeeper from distance without success.

Just as Eibar appeared to have secured the win, Yuri Berchiche stepped up in stoppage time. The left-back unleashed a superb long-range free-kick that flew past the Eibar goalkeeper to make it 2-2, sparking celebrations among the rain-soaked Athletic contingent.

Yuri's 90th-minute free-kick (listed at 90+1' in the official match data) was the defining moment. Until then, Athletic had struggled to break down a well-organised Eibar side despite dominating possession after the mass substitutions. The set-piece specialist's strike from distance was Athletic's only successful attempt of the second half, underlining the value of individual quality when collective moves faltered.

Yuri Berchiche (Athletic Club) — The veteran left-back produced the moment of the match with his stoppage-time equaliser, a curling free-kick from range that gave the goalkeeper no chance. Introduced at the 62nd minute as part of the mass changes, he made the decisive impact.

Gorka Guruzeta (Athletic Club) — Continued his strong pre-season with a well-taken 25th-minute equaliser. The striker linked play well before being substituted at half-time as part of Terzić's planned rotation.

Malcom Adu (Eibar) — The early goal settled Eibar into the game and he remained a threat on the counter throughout his time on the pitch.

Javi Martón (Eibar) — Restored Eibar's lead with a clinical finish in the 33rd minute, demonstrating the quality that makes him a key weapon for the Segunda División side.

Player of the match: Yuri Berchiche — The match-winner (or match-saver) in the truest sense.

Athletic's half-time substitution pattern (two changes at the break, eight more at the hour mark) reflects Terzić's priority on minutes distribution rather than result. The 1-2 half-time scoreline tells a clear story: Eibar were the sharper side in the opening 45 minutes, converting two of their chances while Athletic needed a striker's instinct from Guruzeta to stay in touch. The second-half statistical picture — Athletic's territorial dominance without a goal from open play — points to the defensive organisation Aranbarri has instilled at Eibar, broken only by a set-piece of the highest quality.

Athletic continue their pre-season build-up with a 2-2 draw that offered more resistance than their previous three friendlies. The next test comes on Wednesday, 29 July, against La Liga 2026/27 newcomers Racing Santander in Laredo — a significant step up in competitive intensity. Eibar, preparing for the LaLiga Hypermotion season, will take confidence from having led a top-flight side for 57 minutes on their own training ground.

A pre-season friendly that delivered genuine drama. Eibar looked the more cohesive side for long stretches and will rue conceding so late. Athletic's depth — eight changes in one block — and Yuri's quality from dead balls were the difference. The result matters less than the minutes banked, but the manner of the equaliser gives Terzić a talking point.

Athletic Club's next friendly: vs Racing Santander, Laredo — Wednesday, 29 July 2026.