Inaki Williams scores late penalty to earn Athletic Bilbao a point at Mallorca
With Mallorca having already reached the 40-point watershed, as they aim to extend their top-flight status into a third successive campaign, this game had a bit of a ‘dead rubber’ feel to it for the hosts.
And the flow of an opening half-hour that saw three Mallorca yellow cards did much to reflect this, with neither goalmouth threatened until the 40th minute.
In keeping with the game, the first real chance was badly miscued, after Martin Valjent was afforded the freedom of the penalty area.
And when the ball dropped kindly to him six yards, it seemed for all the world like the game had finally been sparked into life, but a last-ditch Yuri Berchiche block ensured this uninspiring clash would stand goalless at the break.
As the second half started, many would have sensed that it couldn’t possibly be any more dull than the first.
That belief rang true inside the first 15 minutes after the restart too, as Mallorca went in search of the opener.
So often an impact player this term, Vedat Muriqi struck and saw his effort well saved by Julen Agirrezabala. The ball was immediately recycled and found its way to Amath Ndiaye Diedhiou, whose effort cannoned back off the angle of post and bar.
Athletic didn’t heed that warning though, and with the frame of the goal still shaking, Mallorca took the lead in somewhat comical circumstances through Muriqi.
Far from his clinical self, the Kosovan’s initial effort was so bad it teed him up perfectly to lay the ball off to Lee Kang-In.
The comedy didn’t stop there though, as the South Korean’s effort crept into the corner after Yeray Alvarez made an absolute hash of trying to bundle the ball off the line.
That goal only prompted a muted response from Athletic, but they were handed a huge slice of luck in stoppage time when they were awarded a penalty after Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta handled in the area.
The reliable Inaki Williams would step forward and tuck the penalty away with the last kick of the game, and though the result ended their winning away run, a point would’ve felt like a victory given the circumstances.
As for Mallorca, they were left heartbroken, but the consolation of already being effectively safe could be seen as a victory in itself.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Lee Kang-In (Mallorca)
