Inaki Williams Serves Brother Assist as Athletic Bilbao Beat Viktoria Plzen in Europa League

Inaki Williams Serves Brother Assist as Athletic Bilbao Beat Viktoria Plzen in Europa League

  • Ghanaian forward Inaki Williams continued his red-hot form for Athletic Bilbao in Europe against Viktoria Plzen
  • The Black Stars striker contributed to another goal as the La Liga outfit defeated their opponents from Czech
  • Williams, whose younger brother is Nico Williams, ended the first round of the Europa League with fours goals and an assist

Inaki Williams and his younger brother Nico Williams combined once again to hand Athletic Bilbao victory in their Europa League game against Viktoria Plzen at San Mames.

The Black Stars forward served Nico the assist for the opener as the Rojiblancos strolled to a 3-1 victory to finish second in the new format of the competition.

Williams has now contributed five goals in eight matches in the competition to ensure Athletic Bilbao secure their place in the last 16. He has scored four and delivered one assist.

Inaki Williams provides assist as Athletic Bilbao beat Viktoria Plzen.
Inaki Williams serves younger brother assist as Athletic Bilbao beat Viktoria Plzen. Photo: David S.Bustamante.
Source: Getty Images

Meanwhile, in an electric start to the game, it was the host that dominated the early exchanges.

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Halfway into the game, Williams burst forward from the right before finding his brother in the box, who calmed rolled the ball into the net.

Athletic Bilbao went into the break with the lead and doubled the advantage on the hour mark through defender Yeray Alvarez.

With 19 minutes remaining, the visitors pulled one back through Milan Havel.

However, the La Liga outfit restored their two-goal lead after second half substitute Javier Marton scored moment after replacing Gorka Guruzeta.

Williams lasted 70 minutes and was replaced by Alvaro Djalo.

Another Ghanaian in the game was Viktoria Plzen's Prince Adu Kwabena, who lasted 62 minutes.

Inaki's form for Ghana vs Athletic Bilbao

The Spain-born Ghanaian forward has received a lot of criticism for his output for the Black Stars and what he does for Athletic Bilbao.

Across the 2024/25 season, Williams has scored eight goals and provided seven assists in all competitions.

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However, within the same period, the striker is yet to score for the Black Stars and was part of the team as Ghana failed to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations.

Former Black Stars midfielder Michael Essien has refused to blame the cultural differences for players born abroad, like Williams, for their struggles with the national team.

“Sometimes we are funny. When we see these Ghanaians born in Europe, we invite them, and then when things are not going well, we say, ‘Oh, they don’t fit in; they don’t know our culture.’ For me, that’s a bit b**t,” Essien told Sporty FM.

Partey helps Arsenal reach UCL last 16

Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that Black Stars midfielder Thomas Partey climbed off the bench to play a key role as Arsenal reached the knockout stage of the UEFA Champions League.

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The London giants brushed aside Dinamo Zagreb at the Emirates 3-0 to seal their place in the last 16 of the competition.

Having started the game on the bench, manager Mikel Arteta introduced the experienced midfielder on the hour mark as a replacement for right-back Jurrien Timber. Read more:

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Source: YEN.com.gh

Authors:
Lukman Mumuni avatar

Lukman Mumuni (Sports Editor) Lukman Abdul Mumin is a CAF-accredited Sports Journalist based in Accra, Ghana. He has been writing for the past eight years. Lukman has worked with some of Ghana's big media houses like GMA and was a regular pundit on GTV. He started his journalism career as a presenter and a writer after studying at the Gee Way Media School. Lukman has covered several international competitions including AFCON 2023. Email: lukmanevergreen2g15@gmail.com

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