Athletic Bilbao's Fernando Llorente (R) and Mallorca's Ivan Ramis challenge for the ball. -Reuters Photo

MADRID: Athletic Bilbao squandered a chance to put pressure on fourth placed Villarreal when they lost 1-0 at Real Mallorca in La Liga on Monday.

The Basque club had won their last four games to climb to fifth and Villarreal's 1-0 defeat at Deportivo Coruna on Sunday had them dreaming of cutting the gap to four points and challenging for a place in next season's Champions League.

Instead, Cameroon striker Pierre Webo netted the only goal at the Iberostar stadium when he tapped in Emilio Nsue's centre in the 11th minute.

Bilbao have 38 points from 23 matches, seven behind Villarreal and one ahead of Espanyol, who lost 1-0 at home to 10-man Real Madrid on Sunday.

Barcelona, who drew 1-1 at Sporting Gijon on Saturday, lead the standings with 62 points to Real's 57.

Opinion

Editorial

Budget presser
Updated 14 Jun, 2026

Budget presser

If the FBR falters, the government will find itself in hot water sooner rather than later.
Muharram precautions
14 Jun, 2026

Muharram precautions

WITH Muharram due to start next week, the authorities have already begun annual exercises to ensure that the ...
Blood bequests
14 Jun, 2026

Blood bequests

WORLD Blood Donor Day offers a moment of “gratitude, advocacy and renewed commitment” for thalassaemia patients...
Sustainable path?
Updated 13 Jun, 2026

Sustainable path?

The FY27 budget is the first clear signal that the government is ready to transition from stabilisation to growth.
Prioritising education
13 Jun, 2026

Prioritising education

THOUGH the improvement in the country’s literacy rate may be slight, as highlighted by the Economic Survey, it ...
Poverty’s rise
13 Jun, 2026

Poverty’s rise

AS attention turns to the government’s plans for the coming fiscal year, one set of figures deserves particular...