Athletic Bilbao wins the Basque Country derby

Athletic Bilbao forward Alex Berenguer scored twice in a 2-1 win over Real Sociedad, propelling the hosts to third place in Spain's league. Athletic moved ahead of Barcelona and Atletico Madrid with their victory in the Basque Country derby on Saturday.

Athletic are on track to compete for a Champions League spot, with Spain certain to send four, if not five, teams to Europe's top tournament next season. Berenguer made the most of his opportunity to start for the hosts in lieu of Athletic star Inaki Williams, who is representing Ghana at the Africa Cup of Nations. After team movements that featured passes from Nico Williams, the striker scored from close range in the 32nd and 40th minutes. Ernesto Valverde's side is unbeaten in 13 games in both the league and the Copa del Rey, and they have won their last four league games. Mikel Oyarzabal's 88th-minute goal kept Sociedad in sixth position, although they trail their Basque rival by nine points.