Bilbao, Spain, Feb 19 ( EFE).- Alex Berenguer struck twice as Athletic Club recorded a 3-2 win over Girona in the Spanish LaLiga on Monday to revive their hopes for Champions League qualification.
The ninth successive win at home ground San Mames took Athletic’s tally to 49 points from 25 matches, just two points behind Atletico Madrid, who were sitting in fourth place.
Girona failed to take advantage of Real Madrid’s draw against Rayo Vallecano to close the gap with the league leaders.
They went behind in the very first minute, as Berenguer intercepted a pass from the right to fire past goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga.
Viktor Tsyganov tied the game just after the first half, but Berenguer put Athletic back in the league soon with a similar attempt at his first goal.
Four minutes after Berenguer’s goal, Inaki Williams settled the nerve for Athletic, scoring their third goal with a cross-shot.
“Winning against Girona is not easy. In San Mames, we are being a steamroller, and the connection with the public is fantastic,” Williams, who scored nine goals in the league, said after the game.
Gazzaniga kept Girona in the game with a few fine saves in the second half before Eric Garcia headed home a cross to reduce the margin.
But the visitors did not find the equalizer they needed for a point in the game.
The Catalonian side has now suffered their second successive defeat and only their third in the league, after a 4-0 thrashing by Real last week.
Real lead the table with 62 points, six ahead of Girona and eight points ahead of third-placed Barcelona. EFE
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