Euskal Selekzioa extended its unbeaten streak to 12 matches with a 1-0 victory over Venezuela at San Mamés on Tuesday, maintaining a perfect record against the South American side.

The Basque team secured the win through a first-half goal from Jauregizar, a moment that ignited the passionate crowd in Bilbao. This triumph, part of the team’s annual friendly, came amid celebrations for the 90th anniversary of the Basque Government.

Despite missing key players called up to the Spanish national team—including Unai Simón, Nico Williams, and Laporte—Euskal Selekzioa overcame a weakened roster to deliver a performance presented as competitive and focused.

Euskal Selekzioa’s victory over Venezuela marks its fourth win against the Vinotinto, solidifying a dominant head-to-head record. More remarkably, the result extends the team’s unbeaten streak to 12 games, a run that began on December 28, 2011, when Tunisia defeated them 0-2 at the old San Mamés.

This 15-year stretch of positive results shows the team's sustained competitiveness, even as it operates outside official FIFA recognition. The Basque Football Federation announced this week it has renewed its claim for official status.

Venezuela, meanwhile, arrived in Bilbao as a well-established CONMEbol side. They finished eighth in the South American qualifying standings for the 2026 World Cup, ahead of teams like Peru and Chile, adding context to the quality of the opposition.

The decisive moment arrived in the first half when a short corner routine led to Jauregizar’s header. Osasuna’s Arguibide provided the assist, delivering a precise cross that the forward nodded past Venezuelan goalkeeper Contreras.

Venezuela responded with intensity, creating chances of their own. Midfielder Yangel Herrera, facing Igor Zubeldia, was a central figure in the midfield battle, while Venezuela’s Segovia also had a chance with a shot that went high.

The second half saw a flurry of substitutions, with both coaches making up to eight changes. The tempo of the match slowed, but Euskal Selekzioa managed the game effectively. A close call came when Venezuelan forward Ramírez struck, while the Basque side had a chance to extend their lead when Osambela’s header went wide late in the game.

San Mamés served as a backdrop for personal stories as several players returned to the stadium where they played. Goalkeeper Kepa received a particular homage during the halftime break with applause from the crowd, a gesture he acknowledged.

Forward Iñigo Vicente and Villalibre, both now at Racing, faced their former club’s fans. Midfielder Unai Gómez, who transferred from Athletic to Udinese this summer, and Gorosabel, on loan at Espanyol, also featured for the team, wearing the green jersey with passion.

The match was a celebration of Basque culture, with halftime honors paid to the pelota and sokatira teams, showcasing the unique sporting traditions of the area. The victory was capped with a lap of honor, where players celebrated with the fans who packed the stands.

However, the evening was not without incident. Some incidents occurred before the match, and flares were displayed from the stands, briefly disrupting the proceedings. Despite these moments, the overall atmosphere was one of unity and celebration, with an attendance of 40,041, a drop from the 51,396 who attended last year’s match against Palestine.