Sestao River vs Athletic Club

Guruzeta needed just two minutes to open the scoring. Adama Boiro's corner from the left was met by a firm header from the striker — his second headed goal in consecutive friendlies — to give Edin Terzić's side the perfect start.

Athletic dominated possession throughout the first half but found Aitor Iru, the former Athletic youth goalkeeper now at Sestao, in inspired form. Iru denied efforts from Álex Berenguer and Álvaro Djaló, while Selton twice came close — once seeing a strike cleared off the line by a Sestao defender.

Terzić changed his entire XI at half-time. The second half was less fluid but still one-sided. Johaneko, the young right-back introduced at the break, rattled the post with a left-footed strike and had two further efforts saved by the home goalkeeper.

Sancet settled the contest in stoppage time. Iker Monreal won the ball to start a counter-attack, Robert Navarro fed Sancet, and the midfielder slotted home from close range to make it 2-0 in the 90th minute.

Guruzeta's second-minute header was the defining moment. Against a lower-league opponent, the early goal removed any prospect of Sestao sitting deep for a goalless half and grew more significant as Iru kept the scoreline respectable. Athletic's dominance never translated into a rout, but the opening goal meant the result was never in doubt.

Gorka Guruzeta (Athletic Club) — Scored his second pre-season header in as many games, rising unchallenged at the near post. Led the line effectively for 61 minutes before being substituted.

Oihan Sancet (Athletic Club) — Bright after coming on at half-time, providing the second goal with a composed finish. His movement between the lines caused Sestao's defence persistent problems.

Aitor Iru (Sestao River) — The former Athletic youth goalkeeper kept the scoreline respectable with several sharp saves, including a clearance off the line from Selton and stops from Berenguer and Djaló.

Johaneko (Athletic Club) — The 20-year-old right-back was Athletic's most dangerous attacking outlet in the second half, hitting the post with a left-footed shot and forcing two more saves.

Player of the match: Gorka Guruzeta (Athletic Club)

Athletic's 2-0 win looks comfortable on paper but undersells their territorial dominance. The visitors monopolised possession and created the majority of clear chances, with only Iru's performance and a goal-line clearance preventing a wider margin. The xG narrative — if available — would likely show a significant gap reflecting Athletic's sustained pressure, particularly from set pieces (Guruzeta's opener) and crosses into the box. Sestao failed to register a meaningful shot on target across the 90 minutes, per the Athletic Club's own match report.

Athletic Club have now won all three pre-season friendlies (SD Leioa 11-0, Sestao River 2-0) under Edin Terzić, who continues to build fitness while managing a skeleton squad. The club remained without injured quartet Vivian, Nico Serrano, Maroan, Gorosabel and Egiluz, plus internationals Unai Simón, Aymeric Laporte, Iñaki Williams and Nico Williams. Yuri Berchiche and Mikel Jauregizar were also absent for reasons not disclosed.

Sestao River, preparing for the 2026-27 season in the Spanish third tier, offered disciplined resistance but lacked the quality to trouble Athletic's back-up goalkeepers Padilla (first half) and Santos (second half).

Next fixtures: Athletic Club face SD Eibar in Zamudio on Saturday 25 July. Sestao River continue their pre-season schedule with a fixture yet to be announced.

A routine pre-season win for Athletic against a willing but outmatched local rival. Guruzeta's early header and Sancet's late finish bookended a performance that was professional without being memorable. The real tests begin when Terzić's full squad returns from international duty and the fitness build-up intensifies ahead of La Liga's start.