Real Madrid extended their lead at the top to five points with 11 games to go with a 2-1 win against Athletic Bilbao at San Mames.
Zinedine Zidane’s side took the lead after 25 minutes through Karim Benzema’s close-range strike. Artiz Aduriz equalised in the second half for the hosts, whose joy was short lived as Casemiro slammed the winner three minutes later.
Cristiano Ronaldo set up the opener with a neat cut-back for Benzema, who had an excellent game. Bilbao were marginally the better team in the first period, though, with winger Inaki Williams in particular causing plenty of problems on the right flank.
Real’s goal came against the run of play. Bilbao were rewarded in the second half after putting the Real defence under the cosh for long spells. Raul Garcia set up the equalising goal from the by-line, which Aduriz headed into the net.
Ronaldo was once again influential in proceedings as his flick from a corner taken by Toni Kroos found Casemiro. The Brazilian calmly chested the ball and slammed it home.
Brief scores:
- Athletic Bilbao 1 (Artiz Aduriz) lost to Real Madrid 2 (Karim Benzema, Casemiro)