First Division - Day 9

Real Madrid 2 - Athletic Bilbao 1

Madrid: Keylor Navas; Dani Carvajal, Varane, Pepe, Marcelo; Kovacic, Kroos, Isco (Lucas Vázquez 65‘); Bale, Benzema (Morata 75’), Cristiano Ronaldo. 4-3-3.
Athletic: Iraizoz; Lekue, Etxeita, Laporte, Saborit (Muniain 89‘); San José, Mikel Rico; Williams, Eraso, Raúl García (Iturraspe 76‘); Sabin Merino (Susaeta 78’). 4-2-3-1.

Goals:
1-0. 07. Benzema. Fired shot past Iraizoz after Isco laid ball across from right.
1-1. 27. Sabin. Steered shot under Keylor Navas after Eraso passed ball back.
2-1. 87. Morata. Beat Iraizoz at second attempt after Bale crossed in to area.

Yellow cards: Etxeita 31’, Raúl García 55’, Morata 87’, Laporte 87’, Dani Carvajal 94’.

Real Madrid are back at the top of the table after a 2-1 victory over sixth placed Athletic Bilbao in the last match on Sunday night. Benzema fired Zidane’s team in to an early lead after Isco set him up, and Ronaldo tested Iraizoz with a long shot soon afterwards. Keylor Navas had to save from Williams though, and midway through the first half Sabin levelled the scores after Eraso played the ball back to him. Some six minutes in to the second half Williams wasted a good chance to put the visitors in front when he shot over the top with only the keeper to beat, but Madrid themselves were not finding the target, Ronaldo in particular shooting wide on three or four occasions. However with seven minutes left on the clock substitute Morata finally got the winner, forcing the ball over the line after Iraizoz blocked his first effort from Bale’s centre. Williams and Ronaldo could both have changed the scoreline after that when free on goal, but this was not their night.