An entertaining Basque derby‑style friendly between Athletic Club and Eibar ended in a 2-2 draw on 25 July 2026 at Athletic's Lezama training ground. The match, played behind closed doors, saw both sides field a mix of first‑team regulars and emerging talents as they fine‑tune for the new season.

Match Overview

Eibar took an early lead with a well‑worked goal, but Athletic responded through a stunning individual effort. The second half saw Eibar regain the advantage with a clinical counter‑attack, only for Athletic to equalise again late in the game. The intensity was high throughout, befitting the historic rivalry between these two Basque clubs, even in a pre‑season setting.

Key Moments

• 12th minute: Eibar opened the scoring. A neat passing move found the striker in space just inside the box, and he finished low into the far corner.
• 28th minute: Athletic's equaliser came from a dazzling solo run by the winger, who cut inside from the left and curled a beautiful shot into the top corner.
• 62nd minute: Eibar restored their lead with a rapid counter‑attack. A long ball over the top was controlled superbly, and the forward slotted past the goalkeeper.
• 81st minute: Athletic levelled again. A corner kick was half‑cleared, and a powerful volley from the edge of the box found the net via a deflection.
• 89th minute: Eibar had a late chance to win it, but the Athletic goalkeeper made a smart save from a downward header.

Standout Players

For Athletic Club, the winger who scored the solo goal was a constant threat with his dribbling and movement. The central defensive pair, though caught out once, generally looked strong. On the Eibar side, the striker's two goals were clinical, and the midfield engine room covered huge amounts of ground. The Eibar goalkeeper also made several important saves, especially late on.

Season Implications

This spirited draw showed that both Athletic Club and Eibar are building sharpness well. Athletic will be pleased with their fighting spirit to come back twice, while Eibar's efficiency in front of goal is a promising sign. Both managers will have plenty of positive data to work on as they finalise their starting line‑ups for the upcoming league campaigns.