La Liga: Girona's title hope fades in loss to Bilbao

Athletic Bilbao dealt a major blow to Girona's La Liga title hopes with a thrilling seventh straight home win of 3-2 on Monday, earning themselves a chance to enter the top four. Meanwhile, the 2nd-ranked visitors behind leaders Real Madrid are on a winless run of three games in the league, as they fell short to cut the six-point gap in this gripping clash at the San Mames Stadium.

After Berenguer sent Athletic ahead, Viktor Tsygankov leveled for Girona. However, Berenguer and Inaki Williams quickly netted for the hosts and although Eric Garcia pulled one back, Girona could not find the equalizer.

"We lacked a bit of determination in the final third ... I think the second half was good," said Girona coach Michel Sanchez, who watched from a box as he was banned from the touchline. "We have to continue, we can't ask the team to always win and we have to keep fighting to stay up there."

Athletic took the lead inside two minutes after Girona playmaker Aleix Garcia played a dangerous ball across the face of his own area. Berenguer intercepted and drilled home inside the near post, catching out Paulo Gazzaniga. Girona lacked their usual zip, still chastened from last weekend's heavy 4-0 thrashing by Real Madrid. The Catalans pulled level at the start of the second half when Tsygankov turned home Ivan Martin's cross.

Girona did not keep parity for long with Berenguer netting his second following another Girona mistake. Miguel Gutierrez dallied on the ball and was robbed by Gorka Guruzeta, who crossed for Berenguer to finish. Girona's defense was all at sea as Inaki Williams netted Athletic's third. Eric Garcia headed home from Aleix Garcia's cross to give Girona the chance to rescue a point. They almost did deep in stoppage time but Athletic defender Dani Vivian brilliantly headed John Solis' shot off the line to safety.

(With input from agencies)