Karim Benzema scored twice as Real Madrid edged past Athletic Bilbao to move eight points clear at the top of La Liga going into the winter break.
Benzema’s quickfire double put Real 2-0 up after just seven minutes to move to 20 goals for the season.
A fine strike from the edge of the box by Oihan Sancet brought the home side back into the game three minutes later.
Nico Williams had the best chance to level for Bilbao in the second half, but Thibaut Courtois made a fine save.
Inaki Williams was also denied by an excellent tackle by Eder Militao on the edge of the box as the forward looked to burst into the penalty area.
Real could have extended their lead in the closing stages when they twice hit Bilbao on the break, but goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala made fine stops to deny Eden Hazard and Toni Kroos.
The win means Carlo Ancelotti’s side go into the Christmas break in a dominant position at the top of the table, though they have played a game more than nearest challengers Sevilla.
They have lost just twice in 25 matches in all competitions this season, with their last defeat coming against Espanyol on 3 October.
Line-ups
Ath Bilbao
Formation 4-4-2
- 26Agirrezabala
- 18De Marcos
- 5Álvarez
- 3Núñez
- 24BalenziagaBooked at 61minsSubstituted forLekueat 62′minutes
- 19ZarragaSubstituted forWilliamsat 57′minutes
- 16VencedorBooked at 42mins
- 14García Carrillo
- 10MuniainSubstituted forSerranoat 84′minutes
- 9Williams
- 8SancetSubstituted forGarcíaat 62′minutes
Substitutes
- 2Petxarromán
- 6Vesga
- 11Morcillo
- 15Lekue
- 21Capa
- 22García
- 30Williams
- 31Paredes
- 33Serrano
- 35Iruarrizaga
Real Madrid
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Courtois
- 17Vázquez
- 3Militão
- 6Nacho
- 23Mendy
- 15Valverde
- 25CamavingaBooked at 62mins
- 8Kroos
- 7E HazardSubstituted forGonzalez Carmonaat 86′minutes
- 9BenzemaSubstituted forJovicat 90′minutes
- 20Vinícius JúniorBooked at 42minsSubstituted forMarianoat 85′minutes
Substitutes
- 5Vallejo
- 16Jovic
- 24Mariano
- 27Blanco
- 35Gutiérrez
- 40Fuidias
- 41Marín Zamora
- 44Gonzalez Carmona
- 45Piñeiro
- Referee:
- César Soto Grado
- Attendance:
- 42,722
Live Text
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Match ends, Athletic Bilbao 1, Real Madrid 2.
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Second Half ends, Athletic Bilbao 1, Real Madrid 2.
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Eder Militão (Real Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Unai Núñez (Athletic Bilbao).
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Corner, Athletic Bilbao. Conceded by Lucas Vázquez.
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Attempt saved. Toni Kroos (Real Madrid) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Mariano with a through ball.
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Attempt blocked. Luka Jovic (Real Madrid) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Peter.
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Attempt saved. Peter (Real Madrid) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Eduardo Camavinga with a through ball.
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Substitution, Real Madrid. Luka Jovic replaces Karim Benzema.
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Attempt blocked. Yeray Álvarez (Athletic Bilbao) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Óscar De Marcos.
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Attempt blocked. Iñaki Williams (Athletic Bilbao) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
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Substitution, Real Madrid. Peter replaces Eden Hazard.
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Eden Hazard (Real Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Iñaki Williams (Athletic Bilbao).
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Attempt saved. Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Iñaki Williams with a through ball.
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Substitution, Real Madrid. Mariano replaces Vinícius Júnior.
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Substitution, Athletic Bilbao. Nicolás Serrano replaces Iker Muniain.
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Eder Militão (Real Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao).
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Corner, Athletic Bilbao. Conceded by Nacho.
