A thrilling match unfolded at the iconic San Mamés Stadium on March 13, 2025, where Athletic Club triumphed over AS Roma with a decisive scoreline of 3-1, advancing to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League with a 4-3 victory on aggregate.
Fast-paced and intensely competitive, the match witnessed its pivotal moment early on when Mats Hummels, the veteran Roma defender, received a straight red card just 11 minutes after kickoff. The dismissal came after Hummels fouled Maroan Sannadi, denying him what the referee Clément Turpin deemed a clear goalscoring opportunity. The decision was validated by VAR, leaving Roma to face the match with ten men for the majority of the game.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, Roma had initially taken the lead on aggregate, holding onto their 2-1 advantage from the first leg of the Round of 16. They aimed to defend this slender lead but quickly found themselves under immense pressure from Athletic Club, who capitalized on their numerical superiority.
Nico Williams emerged as the star of the match, scoring two pivotal goals for Athletic. The first came at the close of the first half, leveling the aggregate score with his close-range effort following pressure built up by his teammates. The Basque journalist noted, “It was the kind of goal you associate with sheer determination and effort, characteristic of Athletic Club.” And the second goal sealed the game when Williams danced through Roma's defense, artfully chipping the ball over goalkeeper Mile Svilar, leaving fans buzzing.
Staying focused, Athletic did not relent after equalizing. Yuri Berchiche netted the second goal for Athletic Club at the 68th minute, firing home from close range to shift the aggregate score to 3-2, compelling Roma to chase the game even more fervently.
Even with Roma fighting back, they struggled to regain control over the match. Their day was summed up perfectly when Leandro Paredes converted from the penalty spot at 90+3 minutes, but by then it was merely cosmetic, serving as consolation as Athletic Club comfortably held onto their lead.
“The strength of Athletic Club shone through today,” said coach Ernesto Valverde. “Our players demonstrated their resolve, especially after the red card; they pushed hard and dominated much of the match.” Athletic will now face either Fenerbahçe or Rangers in the quarter-finals, with ambitions to make it back to their home ground where the final will be held later this season.
The attendance at San Mamés was impressive, with 50,666 fans witnessing this momentous encounter, the intensity of which would be remembered long after the final whistle.
While Athletic basked in glory, Roma’s defeat raised serious concerns. This match marked their quickest red card ever received in this competition, raising questions about discipline and tactical decisions. Coach Claudio Ranieri stated, “We started well but losing Mats so early really turned the tide against us. We couldn't recover from it.”
This encounter not only showcased Athletic Club’s offensive prowess but also exposed vulnerabilities within the Roma defense—a combination of bad luck and tactical missteps. With the defeat, Roma now faces the challenge to regroup, as they find themselves searching for answers after their remarkable run of six straight wins across all competitions came to a startling halt.
Fans of European football would have witnessed the resilience of Athletic Club pushing through adversity, proving they possess the spirit to navigate high-stakes competitions successfully, solidifying their position as contenders for the cup.
With this victory, Athletic Club aims to write new chapters of success — their first appearance
in the quarter-finals since the 2015/16 season — and they are not planning to stop here.
The atmosphere at San Mamés was electric, leaving the home fans ecstatic about their team’s display and energizing their hopes for reaching the final.
Moving forward, both teams will reflect on lessons learned tonight; for Athletic, it’s about continuing their winning momentum, whilst for Roma, it’s time to realign their strategies and get back to winning ways.
Stay tuned as the Europa League progresses, with more thrilling matches to come!