Jese scampers down the left-hand side, with both Cristiano and Vazquez on the opposite flank unmarked. The Spaniard clips a lovely pass into the path of the Portugal international, but his teammate takes a woeful touch. It hasn't been his night.
90' +2
Real Madrid waste a late chance! The visitors have a four-on-two situation, but a poor cross from the left means that Athletic Club have the opportunity to recover and get additional bodies behind the ball. All hands for the pump for Los Blancos, with Benitez seconds away from a hard-fought three points.
90' +1
We're into the first of three added minutes at San Mames.
90'
Raúl García gets yellow.
Raul Garcia is happy to concede a free kick for tugging by Jese, with Real Madrid content with slowing the game down and seeing this one out. Mikel Rico tries to open up play to the right-hand side moments later, but Marcelo steps out to intercept.
89'
Lucas Vázquez enters the game and replaces M. Kovačić.
88'
GREAT SAVE FROM NAVAS! The ex-Levante goalkeeper beats a looping header over the crossbar! Kike Sola and Aduriz cause problems in the air, but the Costa Rican is equal to them. A corner ensues, but nobody is able to make contact with the corner other than Varane and Pepe!
87'
Real Madrid are trying to hang onto the ball in their own half, but the rain really isn't helping their cause! Athletic Club lose the ball on the right, but Kovacic can't make anything happen on the break. Instead, Balenziaga whips in a ball from the left, but Varane hacks the danger away!
85'
Huge chance goes begging for Cristiano! The Portuguese shows a brilliant turn of pace to beat Susaeta, but can only drag a low shot way wide of the far post! Meanwhile, Valverde makes a change, with Kike Sola thrown into the mix for Benat. A striker on for a midfielder!
84'
Kike Sola enters the game and replaces Beñat.
83'
Cristiano is denied well by Etxeita! The central defender bundles the Portugal international to the ground in the process, but the referee doesn't see anything amiss! Hectic stuff in Bilbao, with Real Madrid still trying to find another goal. A diagonal tries to isolate Balenziaga against Jese, but the former wins an important header.
Minute
Description
81'
Ibai Gómez gets yellow.
We're into the final 10 minutes at the San Mames, with Athletic Club desperately searching for an equaliser. Carvajal goes down after being caught by Ibai, with the substitute getting a card for his cynical antics. Plenty still to play for in the Basque country, as Varane heads away a beautiful cross from the aforementioned aggressor.
80'
Casemiro enters the game and replaces K. Benzema.
79'
Chaos in the visitors' penalty area! Pepe manages to get a head on Benat's free-kick delivery, but the rebound drops to Raul Garcia! The Spanish midfielder tries to hook a half volley over his shoulder, but places it wide of the post! Despite not making any contact with Carvajal, the Real Madrid full-back goes down holding his face. Embarrassing.
78'
T. Kroos gets yellow.
Ibai Gómez enters the game and replaces Susaeta.
77'
Real Madrid take yet another corner short, with Carvajal seeing a cross then charged down. A searching diagonal tries to find Aduriz scampering in behind the visiting back four, but Marcelo cuts it out. Athletic Club look to get forward moments later, but their progress is halted by a handball from Kroos. The Germany international is unfortunate to pick up a yellow card.
75'
Laporte exchanges possession with Benat, before seeing a cross deflected behind for a corner by Varane. The set piece causes havoc in the box, before Aduriz sees a low drive parried to safety by Navas! He was stretching upon the point of contact, but the goalkeeper denied him regardless!
73'
Benzema puts another effort wide! The France international is picked out by a cross from the byline and brings the ball down well on the periphery of the box. The Real Madrid man lashes a low half volley towards the bottom corner, but Iraizoz is happy to watch it flash beyond his right-hand post.
72'
Mikel Rico enters the game and replaces San José.
Jesé enters the game and replaces Isco.
Raul Garcia sends a powerful strike hurtling into the stands behind Navas' goal, with Los Leones needing to step up another gear immediately. Isco is replaced for the away side, with Jese coming into the fray, while the yellow carded San Jose makes way for Fran Rico.
70'
K. Benzema has scored a goal for Real Madrid! Assist by Isco.
GOOOOOOOOAL! BENZEMA MAKES IT 2-1! The Frenchman is given a second of the night on a plate! Isco dribbles down the right, before sliding a lovely cross into the zone between defence and goalkeeper. Cristiano and the goalscorer are present, with the latter nipping in before his teammate to put Real Madrid back in the driving seat!
69'
Cristiano looks to inspire Real Madrid to a quick reply, but a through ball from the Portuguese forward is cut out by Etxeita. Moments later, Marcelo and Isco combine, but Laporte is on hand to clip the danger clear! Benitez's men aren't happy with a point at the San Mames, that much is obvious.
67'
Sabin Merino has scored a goal for Athletic Bilbao! Assist by Susaeta.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOAL! ATHLETIC CLUB ARE LEVEL! Sabin Merino heads home at the back post, providing a finish that Aduriz would be proud of! Suseata curled a lovely cross to the far side, with his teammate happy to do the rest and plant a skidding finish beyond Navas!
66'
De Marcos gets yellow.
HUGE CHANCE FOR ADURIZ! The veteran striker is presented with the ball inside the penalty box, but can't wriggle free of pressure to unleash a telling shot! Real Madrid break, but San Jose wipes out Modric with a terribly timed tackle. Fortunately, the ex-Dinamo Zagreb man isn't hurt.
65'
Balenziaga has to throw himself into a vital challenge to deny an overlapping run from Carvajal, as the right-back threatened to break into the penalty area! Either side could grab the next goal here, though Real Madrid are countering very dangerously. Los Blancos win a corner, but a header from Varane sails wide.
64'
Beñat gets yellow.
63'
Penalty claims from Athletic Club! A shot appears to be blocked by Pepe, with those around him asking for a penalty from the referee! The official isn't interested, with the hosts continuing to retain possession neatly. Los Leones are trying to build up a head of steam, but Benitez has his side set up well and pressing intelligently.
62'
Pepe gets clipped slightly by Susaeta, but the Portugal international goes down theatrically and sees a yellow carded brandished at his opponent. This game is devolving into something a little less civilised, during the second half. Athletic Club's brief is still the same, however, with Valverde needing to inspire his men to a comeback.
60'
Benzema tries to break away at pace, but Real Madrid's attack quickly breaks down. Benat carries possession down the left, but Carvajal steps out well to dump the diminutive midfielder on the turf! Los Blancos counter, but a back-post header from Cristiano goes wide of the target.
58'
Things are getting a little heated! Cristiano goes down after being trodden on by Raul Garcia, but the referee doesn't buy the Portuguese's claims! The ex-Atletico midfielder carries possession upfield, before being clattered by a full-bodied challenge from Pepe. The Real Madrid man gets a yellow card, but Benat's free-kick delivery is woeful once again.
57'
Pepe gets yellow.
56'
Aduriz can't find space to shoot on the edge of the box, with Athletic Club forced into trying to retain possession. De Marcos feeds a pass down the line, with Susaeta breaking to the byline, but a cut back from the wide man is controlled confidently by Modric. Sabin also saw a dangerous attempted pass blocked well by Kroos.
54'
De Marcos is fouled by Modric on the edge of the Real Madrid penalty area, but the hosts can't make anything of it! The dead ball is taken short, with Pepe able to race forward and make a sliding block immediately! Los Leones aren't baring their teeth to the best of their ability tonight.
52'
Cristiano Ronaldo gets yellow.
Marcelo does well down the left flank yet again, earning a corner for Los Blancos. Kroos swings a ball in, but Cristiano can't hit the target under heavy pressure. A second cross into the box is met by Varane, but Iraizoz easily catches the Frenchman's header. Athletic Club counter at pace, with Aduriz able to force Navas into another decent, low save.
50'
Pushed behind by Iraizoz! Varane does brilliantly to rob possession from Aduriz, before gallopping the length of the field himself. The Frenchman finds the feet of Isco, who flicks a neat backheel around the corner for Benzema. The ex-Lyon man shoots, but De Marcos makes a timely block to deny him.
48'
A long ball forward in search of Benzema, can only find the awaiting gloves of Iraizoz. Athletic Club make tracks down their left as a result, but Carvajal does brilliantly to cut out an attempted pass into Aduriz. Real Madrid aim for their French goalscorer yet again, but this time he's caught narrowly offside.
46'
We are back underway in the second half, with Athletic Club needing to recover in order to take a share of the spoils. Chances have been aplenty, with the San Mames field seeing a frenetic pace thus far.
45'
Marcelo beats two men with neat flicks, but the Brazilian is then robbed of possession as he attempts to link up with Benzema! Athletic Club respond with an attack of their own, but a pacey through ball evades Aduriz and winds up in the grasp of Navas!
43'
Wide from Kovacic! The Croatian is denied by Iraizoz, after being fed possession inside the opposition penalty area by Benzema! Moments later, Carvajal drives from the right flank, but can only balloon the ball behind for a goal kick!
41'
Good save from Navas! The Costa Rica international is on hand to parry clear a downward header from Aduriz! The Basque hitman finds the target, but can't loop the ball above the goalkeeper and inside the far post! Big chance for Valverde's men, as their top goalscorer was unmarked.
39'
Brilliant work from Susaeta! The right winger does well to rob Marcelo of the ball out wide, before feeding Aduriz! The Spanish striker takes a touch, but Kovacic tracks back well to deny his man! Athletic Club keep the pressure on, with Raul Garcia able to win a free kick from a petulant Cristiano.
37'
Susaeta cuts in from the right and dances past two tackles, but San Jose is then penalised for what looked to be a clean tackle. Real Madrid counter, but Iraizoz is able to push a shot from Cristiano over the crossbar! The resulting corner is met by Benzema, but the ex-Lyon man heads high and wide of the top right-hand corner!
35'
Kroos sees a shot blocked! Benzema cuts back a searching cross, which finds the Germany international, but yet again a defender is on hand to protect Iraizoz! Marcelo tries to then slide a penetrating pass down the left for the aforementioned Frenchman, but De Marcos intercepts neatly.
33'
Narrowly over 10 minutes remain in the first half, with Real Madrid hanging on a little bit at the moment. The host try to break quickly, but Modric slides in brilliantly to deny Benat. Benitez will just want to see Los Blancos come into the interval with a lead.
31'
The opening half an hour has seen a glut of half chances, but the scoreline still stands at merely 1-0. Susaeta jinks beyond Marcelo and gets into the box, but Raul Garcia can't fire home a cross from his teammate! Pepe gets in the way to make a timely block and concede a corner.
29'
Real Madrid fire off another warning shot, with Cristiano dipping an attempt over Iraizoz's crossbar! The hosts then try to respond at pace, with Raul Garcia finding Susaeta on the right flank. He hangs up a teasing cross to the back post, but Sabin can only head wide!
27'
De Marcos whips a cross in from the right-hand side, but Sabin can't rise well enough to beat Carvajal to the delivery! Athletic Club do manage to earn themselves a corner, however, but Benzema is back on defensive duty to nod clear at the near post.
25'
The visitors continue to pile on the pressure, with Cristiano seeing a shot from range loop over Iraizoz's crossbar after a deflection. The set piece is taken short, but Kovacic's attempted through pass into the penalty area, it cut out. Moments later, Isco is subject to a lofted ball into the box, but the goalkeeper claims.
23'
Cristiano goes close! The former Man United attacker manages to get hold of a Laporte header on the periphery of the penalty area, but can only lash a poor half volley straight at Iraizoz! Moments later, Marcelo beats De Marcos and gets into the box, but his low cross evades both Benzema and Iraizoz!
21'
Real Madrid have an early lead, but Los Blancos certainly aren't out of the woods yet. Valverde's men have been competitive, with that mistake making a blot in an otherwise reasonable copybook. Aduriz goes down off the ball, claiming an elbow in the face from Cristiano, but the referee isn't interested!
19'
K. Benzema has scored a goal for Real Madrid!
GOOOOOOOOOOOAL! BENZEMA MAKES IT 1-0 TO REAL MADRID! Terrible mistake from San Jose! After trying to play it out from the back, the Spain international gives possession away criminally inside his own penalty box! The Frenchman says thank you very much, tucking a low finish beyond Iraizoz!
18'
More desperate defending from Real Madrid! The home fans are on their feet, as pinball breaks out in the visiting penalty area, but Marcelo blasts the danger away. Pressure is building upon Benitez's men, with Athletic Club having the potential to do some damage. Los Blancos will hope that Barcelona's current situation in their match against Celta Vigo isn't an omen for another giantkilling.
16'
Good block from Etxeita! The central defender steps in to deny a powerful effort from Benzema, after Isco was allowed the time and space to break down the right-hand side! Neither goalkeeper has had to do a great deal yet, with this game not offering a lot of clear-cut chances.
14'
Good intervention from Varane! The Frenchman scrambles away another delivery, before Susaeta blasts wide of the far post from the rebound! Marcelo was at full stretch, but couldn't get there, with Navas glad to see the ball flash beyond the target. Real Madrid respond immediately, but Benzema can only send an acrobatic half volley over the bar!
12'
Athletic Club attack down the left-hand side, but Carvajal recovers to stab a sliding intervention back to Navas! Sabin was sniffing around for an opportunity, but the ex-Leverkusen man denied him any chance at all. The home fans are liking what they're seeing thus far, with warm applause meeting any positive passages of play.
10'
Benat lifts a free-kick delivery into the penalty box from deep, but Navas is able to claim the ball unchallenged. Valverde's men appear willing to take a back seat this evening, with plenty of red and white shirts staying a little deeper and pressing intelligently. A poor cross into the box from Kovacic is gobbled up by Iraizoz.
8'
From the resulting corner, Kroos opts to take it short. A delivery is eventually whipped into the penalty area, but Varane can only head some way over the crossbar! The France international has been heavily involved in proceedings already. Isco drives forward moments later, but the Spaniard's attempted through ball is cut out by Etxeita.
7'
Good clearance from Varane! De Marcos lifts a teasing cross over Marcelo and Pepe from the right-hand side, but the Frenchman is on hand to scramble the ball away from inside his own penalty box! The visitors then counter, but Benzema can only drag a tame shot wide from the edge of the area - with the aid of a deflection.
5'
The away side have enjoyed the majority of the early possession, but both Aduriz and Raul Garcia have already caused Real Madrid problems aerially in the opposition penalty area. The home fans are very vocal tonight, with this game meaning more than solely football to a lot of those in attendance.
3'
Raul Garcia is caught in the back of the head by a flailing arm from Pepe, with the Portugal international already getting tight to his man. Moments later, Aduriz looks to get in behind the visiting back four, but Varane slides in to put in a fantastic tackle! That could go easily have been 1-0 to Athletic Club!
1'
We are underway in the first half at San Mames! The hosts are donning their home kit of predominantly red, while Real Madrid are in all white.
Hello and welcome to live coverage of Real Madrid's trip to the Basque Country to face Athletic Club, as Rafa Benitez faces his first stern test in the Los Blancos' hotseat. Ernesto Valverde can call upon both Aritz Aduriz and Raul Garcia in his giantkilling endeavours, with the visitors needing to avoid a potential banana skin here tonight.
I'm Simon Harrison and I will be keeping you up to date with all of the action from the San Mames, with a few injuries hampering Los Blancos. The hosts, meanwhile, haven't got any new concerns in that respect. Real Madrid are on a four-game consecutive winning run in all competitions, while Athletic Club suffered a poor 3-1 defeat to Villarreal last time out.
TEAM NEWS: Mikel Balenziaga comes back into the frame at left-back, with Mikel San Jose chosen to partner Benat in holding midfield. Despite being passed fit this week, Ander Iturraspe doesn't make the matchday squad, with Inaki Williams and Iker Muniain still absent. Raul Garcia starts again in behind Aritz Aduriz, while Sabin Merino is recalled on the left wing.
TEAM NEWS: Mateo Kovacic starts for the visitors, with Isco also in the trio of creative outlets behind Karim Benzema. Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez are still sidelined, with Sergio Ramos also absent with a shoulder problem. Dani Carvajal deputises for the injured Danilo, with Pepe partnering Raphael Varane at centre-back. Lucas Vazquez and Denis Cheryshev are on the bench for the capital club.
Athletic Club starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Iraizoz; De Marcos, Etxeita, Laporte, Balenziaga; San Jose, Benat; Susaeta, Raul Garcia, Sabin; Aduriz.
Athletic Club substitutes: Eraso, Kike Sola, Ibai, Herrerin, Mikel Rico, Gurpegui, Lekue.
Real Madrid starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Navas; Carvajal, Pepe, Varane, Marcelo; Kroos, Modric; Isco, Kovacic, Cristiano; Benzema.
Real Madrid substitutes: Nacho, Casilla, Casemiro, Arbeloa, Vazquez, Jese, Cheryshev.
HALF TIME! Real Madrid head into the dressing room with a one-goal lead, courtesy of a defensive calamity from Athletic Club. Benzema grabbed the opener, but the game has since done anything but settle down. Chances galore at both ends, with both goalkeepers called into plenty of action!
FULL TIME! Real Madrid battle their way to a 2-1 victory in the Basque country, with Athletic Club unable to fight make to a late comeback! Benzema netted twice for the visitors, with a goal from Sabin making things interesting in the second half. That's all that we have time for from the San Mames, I've been Simon Harrison and I hope to see you again next time.
Commentary
More…