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Real Madrid logo
La Liga | Gameweek 38
Jun 4, 2023 at 5.30pm UK
Estadio Santiago Bernabeu
Athletic Bilbao logo

Real Madrid
1 - 1
Athletic Bilbao

Benzema (72' pen.)
Ceballos (55'), Carvajal (85')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Sancet (49')
Sancet (57'), Berchiche (71')

Karim Benzema scores on farewell appearance for Real Madrid

Karim Benzema scores on farewell appearance for Real Madrid
© Reuters
Karim Benzema marks his final game for Real Madrid with a late equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Athletic Bilbao at Bernabeu.

Karim Benzema marked his final game for Real Madrid with a late equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Athletic Bilbao at Bernabeu, with the result enough to see Carlo Ancelotti's side claim second spot in the La Liga table.

Atletico Madrid were set to finish as the runners-up in Spain's top flight until they conceded a last-gasp leveller against Villarreal, leaving them in third, one point behind second-placed Los Blancos.

Athletic have also missed out on the chance to claim European football for next season, ultimately finishing eighth in the division, two points behind seventh-placed Osasuna, who will be present in the Europa Conference League playoff round.

On Sunday morning, it was announced that Benzema would be leaving Real Madrid this summer, with the Frenchman widely expected to make a big-money move to Saudi Arabia.

Benzema signed off in the best possible way, scoring a leveller from the penalty spot in the 72nd minute, while there was also a final appearance for the club for Marco Asensio, who is departing on a free transfer, with the Spaniard set to join Paris Saint-Germain.

Real Madrid's Karim Benzema amd Athletic Bilbao's Oscar de Marcos line up before their match on June 4, 2023© Reuters

Athletic were awarded a penalty in the ninth minute of the match when the ball struck Toni Kroos's arm inside the box, but Mikel Vesga saw his spot kick saved by Thibaut Courtois.

Vinicius Junior - back in the side after injury - and Rodrygo both brought smart saves from Athletic goalkeeper Unai Simon in the first period, but the visitors were the more dangerous side in the opening 45, with Courtois also denying Yuri Berchiche and Gorka Guruzeta during a positive first period for the Basque side.

Athletic deservedly took the lead in the 49th minute, with Oihan Sancet finding the back of the net at the second time of asking after seeing his initial shot saved by the Real Madrid goalkeeper.

Asensio was introduced in the 58th minute of the match, replacing Dani Ceballos, who also only has a contract with the capital giants until the end of the month.

Ancelotti hinted ahead of the match that both Ceballos and Nacho had been offered new deals, with the pair now deciding whether to sign on the dotted line or seek pastures new.

Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema pictured on June 4, 2023© Reuters

Real Madrid were awarded a penalty in the 71st minute of the match when Yuri challenged Eder Militao, and Benzema stepped forward to score, firing his spot kick straight down the middle.

The Frenchman left to a standing ovation in the 74th minute, and an announcement on his future is set to arrive next week, with Al-Ittihad expected to sign him.

Luka Modric and Kroos were also involved on Sunday, and the pair will see their contacts expire at the end of June, but both are widely expected to sign extensions until next summer.

Eden Hazard and Mariano Diaz, who are both leaving this summer, were ultimately unused substitutes against Athletic, with Ancelotti deciding against giving them late cameos.

Real Madrid have ended the season with the UEFA Super Cup, Club World Cup and Copa del Rey trophies, as they fell short in both La Liga and the Champions League.

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Written by
Matt Law
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How you voted: Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao

Real Madrid
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Draw
14.1%
Athletic Bilbao
8.1%
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Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr celebrates scoring their first goal with Real Madrid's Karim Benzema on April 5, 2023
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Atletico MadridAtletico18125133122141
2Barcelona19122551222938
3Real Madrid17114237162137
4Athletic Bilbao19106329171236
5Mallorca199371921-230
6Villarreal177642928127
7Real Sociedad187471613325
8GironaGirona187472625125
9Osasuna186752327-425
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11Real BetisBetis176652021-124
12Sevilla176471823-522
13Rayo Vallecano175661920-121
14Las PalmasLas Palmas175482227-519
15Leganes174671523-818
16Getafe183781115-416
17AlavesAlaves174491928-916
18Espanyol1743101629-1315
19Real ValladolidValladolid1833121237-2512
20Valencia162591424-1011


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