Villarreal CF closes in on Champions League qualification with a 2-1 win over Athletic Bilbao at San Mamés. The visitors took control of the game with two goals in the first half. The team of Unai Emery is currently in third place in the La Liga standings, four points ahead of Atlético Madrid and 15 points ahead of Real Betis. In the current season, Villarreal CF is in fifth place in the La Liga standings, with 1 point, 0 wins, 1 draw, and 0 losses in 1 game, with a recent form of D. The team is also 2 points behind the leaders Espanyol in the title race. The goals of Sergi Cardona and Alfon González in the first half gave Villarreal CF a 2-0 lead over Athletic Bilbao. The team of Marcelino was forced to fight to find the equalizer in the game. In the 26th minute, a quick counterattack by Villarreal CF allowed Tani Oluwaseyi to control the ball and set up Cardona, who arrived from behind and showed composure to chip the ball over the goalkeeper. Villarreal CF seemed comfortable after taking the lead, controlling the possession and keeping Athletic Bilbao at bay while posing a threat on the counter. In the first-half stoppage time, Alfon doubled the lead after pressing aggressively to win the ball from a defender and finishing calmly past Unai Simón at the near post. Athletic Bilbao pushed forward after the break in search of a comeback, which allowed Villarreal CF more space to counter. Tajon Buchanan came close to making it 3-0 but was denied in a one-on-one by Simón. The hosts eventually pulled a goal back in the 84th minute when Gorka Guruzeta converted a cross from Yuri Berchiche. Villarreal CF briefly thought they had sealed the result when Nicolas Pépé found the net, but the goal was ruled out for offside. The visitors, however, held on to secure a crucial three points at San Mamés. Despite the defeat, Athletic Bilbao remain six points above the relegation zone.