Ane Azkona leads Bilbao to victory in Basque derby
Athletic Club won 1-4 against Real Sociedad in the Basque derby at Anoeta with 6,202 spectators, with goals from Sara Ortega, Ane Azkona, who scored a brace and was the MVP of the match, and Clara Pinedo. For their part, Sonya Keefe scored the goal for the Donostiarra club. The Bilbao side remain fourth.
15 NOV 2026
Before kick-off, Ainhoa Marín collected the Player of the Month award for October, and Nerea Eizagirre received a commemorative shirt for her 300 matches as a txuri-urdin at the Anoeta stadium, which hosted 6,202 spectators. The Basque side started with a cross from Cecilia Marcos into Nanclares' hands. Meanwhile, Athletic Club tried their luck with Daniela Agote. The end-to-end action continued with a header from Nerea Eizagirre, and at the other end, Julia Arrula made a great save from Elexpuru's shot. Nanclares also soon made an appearance, saving Cecilia Marcos' goal-bound effort, and in the next move, one of the goals of the year arrived. A counter-attack was finished by Sara Ortega with a chip over Julia Arrula, who could do nothing.
The Real Sociedad side attempted a reply through Laura Camino, but a confident Nanclares gathered the ball. The visiting goalkeeper also saved a shot from Cecilia Marcos and another from Ainoa Campo. In the 35th minute, Víctor Martín's side showed their attacking effectiveness. A pass from Daniela Agote was finished by Ane Azkona. Julia Arrula saved the initial shot, but the rebound fell to the Navarran, who didn't miss at the second attempt. Just four minutes later, Clara Pinedo spotted Sara Ortega unmarked. The Riojan delivered a perfectly weighted cross that Ane Azkona, who was the MVP of the match, headed in to score her brace. Nerea Eizagirre and Cecilia Marcos had the last chances before half-time, but Nanclares was imperious between the sticks.

In the second half, a confident Julia Arrula deflected a cross-shot from Clara Pinedo. Daniela Agote also tried her luck with a high shot. Real Sociedad, who had been trying throughout the first half, were rewarded with a low cross from Cecilia Marcos that Sonya Keefe finished into the back of the net to reduce the deficit. Just a few minutes later, Clara Pinedo unleashed a powerful shot directly at the near post to surprise the home team's goalkeeper, making it 1-4 on the scoreboard. After the hour mark, the first substitutions were made. Elene Gurtubay and Jone Amezaga entered the field of play. Indeed, the attacker created danger down the wing. Julia Arrula also saved the goal-bound effort from the Biscayan, who kept trying.
Meanwhile, Arola Aparicio and Intza came on for the home side. The Bilbao side tried again through Jone Amezaga, but Cecilia Marcos prevented the goal right on the goal line. Ava Seelenfreund came on for the home side, and Arola Aparicio looked for danger for the Donostia side. With ten minutes remaining, Nerea Eizagirre had a chance with a shot from inside the box, which Nanclares gathered without much difficulty. Maren Lezeta had a shot over the bar, and Intza also tried her luck with an effort that the Bilbao side's goalkeeper saved. Nanclares also saved a shot from Nerea Eizagirre. The last chance fell to Arola Aparicio, but her powerful shot went wide, grazing the post, to the visitors' relief.
















