Athletic Bilbao 0 - Real Madrid 1

Athletic: Aranzubia; Ustaritz (Orbaiz 40'), Aitor Ocio, Amorebieta, Koikili; Javi Martínez (Aduriz 60 '); Iraola, Etxeberría (Gabilondo 67'), Yeste, David López; Llorente. 4-1-4-1.
Madrid: Casillas; Sergio Ramos, Cannavaro, Pepe, Miguel Torres; Baptista, Diarra, Sneijder (Gago 74'); Robinho (Robben 89'), Raúl, Van Nistelrooy (Guti 82'). 4-3-3.

Team changes: Athletic: Aitor Ocio, Javi Martínez for Orbaiz, Gabilondo / Madrid: Miguel Torres for Marcelo.

Goals:
0-1. 55. Van Nistelrooy. Fired long shot past Aranzubia after Ocio gave ball away.

Real Madrid extended their lead at the top of the first division to seven points pending Sunday's games after beating Athletic Bilbao 0-1. It was not an easy victory, and Casillas had to be at his best to keep out a close range shot from Iraola and a header from Llorente early on. Aranzubia also had some work to do before the break as well though, saving from Baptista and Raúl in particular, and Sergio Ramos got the ball in the net only for the strike to be ruled out for offside.

Ten minutes after the restart though aitor Ocio gave the ball away in midfield, and Van Nistelrooy took advantage to run on and curl a shot across the keeper. The Dutch striker should have scored again a few minutes later after Raúl touched on Sneijder's pass, but he chose to cut in round the keeper and Koikili cleared the danger. And soon afterwards a bamboozling run from Robinho ended with a shot which hit the inside of the post and bounced across goal out of play.

Casillas by now was being bombarded by objects thrown from the crowd, but he kept his nerve and turned a shot from Llorente around the post. At the other end Baptista fired a free kick just over the top, and substitute Robben lobbed another effort over the bar. Seconds later it was all over, and Madrid had taken another step towards the honourary title of winter champions. Bilbao end the day in midtable, still having only won once at home all season.