SD Laredo opened their preseason account with a chastening night at home, falling to a composed and clinical Athletic Bilbao B side 3-0 in an international club friendly played on 19 August 2026. The match, staged at Laredo's Estadio San Lorenzo, served as a useful early test for both outfits, with the visiting Basque side showing superior sharpness in front of goal from the opening whistle.

Match overview

Although the game was billed as a friendly, Athletic Bilbao B approached it with serious intent. Their pressing game made life difficult for Laredo's defence, and the visitors dominated possession through midfield. By contrast, the home side struggled to build sustained attacking moves, managing only a handful of half-chances across the 90 minutes.

The result extended Athletic Bilbao B's solid run of preseason performances and gave their coaching staff plenty of positive signs ahead of the new campaign. For SD Laredo, the defeat highlighted the step up in quality when facing a professional academy side with the depth and technical level of the Basque club.

Key moments

• First-half breakthrough: Athletic Bilbao B opened the scoring midway through the opening period, finishing confidently after a quick combination down the right channel.
• Second goal just after the restart: The visitors doubled their lead shortly after halftime, punishing a defensive lapse from a set piece.
• Late third: A well-worked team goal sealed a comfortable 3-0 win in the closing stages, leaving Laredo with no way back.

What it means for SD Laredo

For SD Laredo, the friendly was always going to be a demanding assignment. Competing against Athletic Bilbao B provides an entirely different test to the level Laredo usually encounters in the lower tiers of Spanish football. While the scoreline was decisive, friendlies are primarily about fitness, experimentation and rhythm. The coaching staff will take positives from the team's organisation in spells, though final-third execution remains an area for improvement.

What it means for Athletic Bilbao B

Athletic Bilbao B will be heartened by the clean sheet and the variety of their goals. Against a stubborn opponent, they showed patience, quality and the kind of attacking movement the coaching staff will want to see carried into league competition. The result also offers useful momentum — a positive sign for a group that increasingly looks ready to challenge for promotion in their respective division.

With the game now in the books, both teams will continue their preparation for the season ahead. SD Laredo will look to bounce back in their next friendly, while Athletic Bilbao B can approach their remaining fixtures with renewed confidence.