Nico Williams scored his first goal of the season to help Athletic Bilbao consign Atlético Madrid to a 3-0 defeat in LaLiga.

Williams struggled during the 2025-26 campaign and only found the net six times, but got up and running 30 seconds into the second half at San Mamés.

Robert Navarro grabbed a second two minutes later and Diego Simeone introduced Julián Álvarez in the 58th minute, but it could not prevent a first defeat of the season for Atlético, with Oihan Sancet adding a late third.

(Photo by Ibai Tudanca/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)

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Simeone revealed Álvarez would be part of the squad in Bilbao after a dramatic week for the Argentina international, who hoped to seal a summer switch to Barcelona, but it failed to materialise and the 26-year-old declined the chance to enter into discussions with Arsenal.

It meant Álvarez was back involved for Atlético, but he initially had a watching front and yet would have been stunned to see it stay 0-0 until half-time.

Lee Kang-in came agonisingly close to the opener for Atlético when he sent a shot against the inside of a post before Pablo Barrios also hit the woodwork.

Atlético were punished for their profligacy straight after the break when Williams headed in after Iñaki Williams' shot took a deflection.

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Navarro made it 2-0 with 48 on the clock when he cut inside and produced an accomplished finish into the corner.

Simeone turned to his bench with Álvarez and ex-Tottenham captain Cristian Romero introduced, but the final word went to Athletic when Sancet slotted home on the stroke of full-time.