Athletic Club booked their place in the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals with a 3-1 victory over a 10-man AS Roma at Estadio San Mamés, securing a 4-3 win on aggregate and ending Roma’s eight-match unbeaten run.
With strong support from their home crowd, Athletic started aggressively as they looked to overturn their first-leg deficit. Roma suffered an early setback when defender Mats Hummels was sent off after losing possession and making a desperate sliding tackle.
Athletic pushed for a breakthrough, with Maroan Sannadi missing a close-range chance and Nico Williams hitting the post. Roma defended well despite being a man down, but just before half-time, Iñaki Williams crossed into the box, Sannadi flicked it on, and Nico Williams scored with a deflected shot off Angeliño.
Roma improved after the break and nearly equalised when Eldor Shomurodov broke through but was denied by goalkeeper Mile Svilar. Athletic kept the pressure on, and after a good save from Svilar, they finally took the lead on aggregate. Álex Berenguer delivered a corner, and Yuri Berchiche’s header found the far corner, leaving Svilar with no chance.
Roma struggled to create chances and were punished again when Nico Williams dribbled past Gianluca Mancini and chipped the ball over Svilar to seal Athletic’s victory. Roma managed a late consolation goal from a 93rd-minute Leandro Paredes penalty, but their poor away form in the Europa League proved costly. They now turn their focus to Serie A.
