MX23RW : Saturday, November 16 16:33:32| >> :120:9165:9165:
[monks data]
Real Madrid logo
La Liga
Oct 23, 2016 at 7.45pm UK
 
Athletic Bilbao logo

2-1

Benzema (7'), Morata (83')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Merino (27')

Alvaro Morata strike sends Real Madrid top of La Liga

Alvaro Morata scores seven minutes from time as Real Madrid edge out Athletic Bilbao and go top of the Primera Division.

Real Madrid have moved to the top of La Liga after a hard-fought victory over Athletic Bilbao at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Los Merengues, who were unbeaten in their previous 14 home games, including Tuesday's 5-1 win over Legia Warsaw, took the lead with their first attack after Isco kept his balance at the byline and supplied Karim Benzema to slot home from close range.

Athletic had threatened early on themselves and after Inaki Williams brought a save out of Keylor Navas, the visitors equalised when Inigo Lekue broke down the right, and although his cross was intercepted, Javier Eraso was able to poke the ball to Sabin Merino to score his second goal in three games against Real.

Zinedine Zidane's side had chances to retake the lead before half time and Cristiano Ronaldo squandered a golden opportunity when he broke down the right side, and despite having Gareth Bale and Benzema in support, fired a shot straight at Gorka Iraizoz.

Minutes after the break, Athletic almost edged in front when Eraso teed up Williams who, with only Navas to beat, fired a first-time effort over the bar.

Ronaldo then squandered further opportunities including a shot from the edge of the area, which failed to trouble Iraizoz as Real fans became more disgruntled while the game was still level.

However, Real finally managed to retake the lead as Bale crossed for Alvaro Morata, whose initial effort was saved by Iraizoz before the former Juventus forward tapped home from close range.

Real now lead the Primera Division by one point from Sevilla, who beat 10-man Atletico Madrid earlier on Sunday.

ID:283894: cacheID:283894:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3504:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Zinedine Zidane appears prior to the game between Real Madrid and Deportivo La Coruna on January 9, 2016
Read Next:
Zidane "very pleased" with five-goal win
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona13110240122833
2Real Madrid1283125111427
3Atletico MadridAtletico137511971226
4Villarreal127322319424
5Osasuna136341720-321
6Athletic Bilbao135531913620
7Real BetisBetis135531412220
8Real Sociedad135351110118
9Mallorca135351010018
10GironaGirona135351617-118
11Celta Vigo135262022-217
12Rayo Vallecano124441313016
13Sevilla134361218-615
14Leganes133551316-314
15AlavesAlaves134181422-813
16Las PalmasLas Palmas133371622-612
17Getafe13175811-310
18Espanyol123181122-1110
19Real ValladolidValladolid132381025-159
20Valencia11146817-97


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!