Karim Benzema scored twice as Real Madrid won 2-1 at Athletic Bilbao in La Liga on Wednesday evening.
Benzema opened the scoring in the 19th minute, but the sides were level 23 minutes from time when Sabin Merino headed past Keylor Navas at the far post.
Real Madrid's French forward added his second just three minutes later, however, to secure three vital points for the visitors, who now top the table.
Here, Sports Mole dissects the 90 minutes of action between the two Spanish rivals.
Match statistics
BILBAO
Shots: 11
On target: 5
Possession: 49%
Corners: 6
Fouls: 10
REAL MADRID
Shots: 22
On target: 6
Possession: 51%
Corners: 8
Fouls: 9
Was the result fair?
The new La Liga season might only be five games old, but Spain's top flight will be hard pushed to produce another game as entertaining as this one for the rest of the campaign. In truth, Real Madrid should have been out of sight at the interval, but their only goal, which came from Benzema, stemmed from a poor defensive mistake from Mikel San Jose. Bilbao had chances of their own in what was an open and entertaining first period, but only some excellent goalkeeping from Gorka Iraizoz kept the Basque outfit in the game entering the second half, which was even more eventful in all areas.
It was Bilbao that started the second period on the front foot, but a super save from Navas prevented Aritz Aduriz from levelling the scores in the 52nd minute. Bilbao were eventually on terms in the 67th minute when Sabin headed home at the far post, but Real Madrid regained the lead just three minutes later, which clearly angered Bilbao boss Ernesto Valverde. The home supporters will feel that their team deserved at least a share of the spoils based on their second-half performance, but when taking a closer look at the statistics and indeed the game as a whole, the visitors did deserve to record all the points.
Bilbao's performance
For a team that has such quality all over the field, it has been a disappointing start to the new La Liga season. The Basque outfit entered this match having lost three of their first four league games, but they are a team that tend to raise their level against bigger opposition, especially at home. As expected, Aduriz was their main threat for long spells and the striker, who has already scored nine times this season, came close to opening the scoring inside three minutes, but the 34-year-old could not run away from Raphael Varane. Nonetheless, it was a bright opening to the game for Valverde's men.
The opening 19 minutes were even in most areas, but a terrible mistake from San Jose saw Benzema send Real Madrid ahead. The visitors should have scored at least three more times in the first half, but Toni Kroos and Cristiano Ronaldo were both guilty of missed opportunities during a strong spell for the visitors. Bilbao had chances of their own through Aduriz, but only some smart goalkeeping from Iraizoz kept the home side within one goal entering the second 45 minutes.
Real Madrid would not have been able to have many complaints when Bilbao levelled in the 67th minute and it was an excellent goal from the home side's point of view, with Markel Susaeta delivering onto the head of Sabin, who angled his effort into the bottom corner. Just three minutes later, however, Benzema converted a low Isco cross for 2-1. As expected, Bilbao applied a host of late pressure, but just could not beat a strong Navas. Another defeat is disappointing at this stage of the season, but their performance against arguably the best team in the league at the moment will give them confidence.
Real Madrid's performance
Head coach Rafael Benitez made just one change from the team that faced Granada at the weekend, with Mateo Kovacic replacing Lucas Vasquez in midfield. Los Blancos are still without the likes of Sergio Ramos, Danilo, James Rodriguez and Gareth Bale, but the team that took to the field was an indication of their strength in depth. The first goal was always going to be important at San Mames and Benitez will have been delighted to take the lead, regardless of how it occurred.
As mentioned, Ronaldo and Kroos both had chances to add to the scoring at 1-0, before Kovacic had a point-blank effort kept out by the Bilbao goalkeeper in the latter stages of the first period. Los Blancos should have been further ahead at the break and they were almost made to pay as the expected Bilbao response arrived. Sabin's header did not exactly come against the run of play, but it was a touch unfortunate for a Real Madrid team that had defended so well for long spells. Varane and Pepe were both excellent at the back, as were Luka Modric and Kovacic in the middle of the park.
It did appear that Bilbao would take control of the game at 1-1, but Real Madrid's character again shone through as they regained the lead in the 70th minute. There could and perhaps should have been more goals late on as both teams came close, but Los Blancos ultimately held on to secure three vital points. The win was even more important when considering that Barcelona lost 4-1 to Celta Vigo earlier in the evening. Benitez's side are rolling along very nicely at the moment, that is for sure.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Karim Benzema: The Frenchman was strongly linked with a move away from Real Madrid in the summer transfer window, but it quickly became clear that he was never close to leaving. The striker has so often had to play second fiddle to the likes of Ronaldo, but Benzema was the star attraction at San Mames. Neither goal was spectacular, but his brace ultimately secured all the points for the table-toppers.
Biggest gaffe
San Jose will not look back fondly on tonight's match. After collecting a quick free kick from his goalkeeper, the Bilbao midfielder, for some reason, decided to play a blind back-pass. He had not surveyed his surroundings, however, and the ball was collected by Benzema, who could not miss from close range as he sent Real Madrid 1-0 ahead. It was a poor lapse in concentration from the Spaniard.
Referee performance
As expected, it was a busy game for referee Antonio Mateu, but the Spaniard had a strong night. Seven yellow cards were awarded, but the official certainly needed to take a firm stance due to the number of heavy challenges that occurred. Mateu was also prepared to let the game flow when possible and was not interested in any play-acting. Neither manager will be able to have any complaints.
What next?
Bilbao: Valverde's side will travel to Basque rivals Real Sociedad in the league on Sunday.
Real Madrid: Next up for Los Blancos is a home league game against struggling Malaga.
Matt Law
