Sancet Penalty Miss Haunts Athletic Club in Frustrating Goalless Draw With Alaves

Athletic Club could not find a way past a resolute Alaves side on Saturday afternoon in La Liga action, with the two teams sharing a goalless draw that will feel like two points dropped for the hosts. The game's defining moment came at the 70th minute when Oihan Sancet stepped up to take a penalty that could have broken the deadlock — only to see his effort fail to beat Alaves goalkeeper Sivera, leaving San Mamés in stunned silence.

A Competitive But Goalless First Half

Athletic Club came out with intent under head coach E. Terzić, lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation with the exciting Nico Williams and Iñaki Williams leading the charge. The Bilbao side dominated possession and created the clearest chances in the opening 45 minutes, registering two shots on target — including efforts in the 12th and 32nd minutes — while also working two corners. Alaves, organized in a 4-4-2 under veteran coach Quique Sánchez Flores, stayed compact and dangerous on the break, testing Athletic Club's defense with shots off target in the 29th and 35th minutes. The first half ended goalless but with Athletic Club firmly in the driver's seat.

Drama in the Second Half

The second half brought even more tension. Athletic Club continued to press and were awarded a golden opportunity from the spot in the 70th minute, but Sancet's penalty miss proved a gut punch from which the home side never truly recovered. Alaves used a flurry of substitutions to reshape their side, bringing on Toni Martínez and Antonio Blanco around the 65th and 75th marks to shore up their shape and add fresh legs up front. Athletic Club responded with their own changes, including the introductions of Alex Berenguer and Peio Canales, but the final breakthrough never arrived. Ruíz de Galarreta picked up a yellow card in the 71st minute for Athletic Club, adding to the frustration on the home bench, while substitute Jesús Areso received a yellow in stoppage time.

Stats Tell the Story

Athletic Club dominated the statistical battle, completing 215 passes to Alaves's 124 and registering six shots in total — two on target and four off — compared to Alaves's two shots off target. The hosts won two corners to Alaves's none, committed four fouls to Alaves's three, and picked up two yellow cards. Alaves were also caught offside once. Despite Athletic Club's clear territorial and statistical superiority, the scoreline read 0-0 at the final whistle.

What This Result Means

For Athletic Club, this is a damaging dropped points at home, made all the more painful by the missed penalty. The Bilbao side will need to be more clinical in front of goal if they are to mount a serious challenge in La Liga this season. Alaves, on the other hand, can take enormous heart from a disciplined defensive display that earned them a hard-fought point on the road. Quique Sánchez Flores will be a happy man tonight.