Four minutes of stoppage time have been added on here, but that will not be enough for Athletic to salvage anything. Madrid are about to move back to within three points of Barcelona!
90'
T. Kroos has scored a goal for Real Madrid! Assist by Rodrygo.
GOAAAL! IT'S SURELY GAME OVER AS KROOS GETS REAL MADRID'S SECOND! Kroos plays the role of super sub to seal victory for Los Blancos! Rodrygo breaks forward to exchange passes with Valverde, before cutting the ball back for Kroos on the edge of the area. The pass is slightly behind the midfielder, but he produces an excellent finish to find the bottom-right corner! 2-0!
Rodrygo charges forward, playing a neat one-two with Valverde before picking out Kroos. The pass wasn't perfect, but it doesn't matter as the midfielder fires the ball beyond Simon from 20 yards out!
89'
Inaki Williams is fouled by Kroos as we enter the final minute of the 90. Can Athletic conjure something from this set-piece?
Kroos appears to lose the flight of the ball before Nico Williams just fails to keep it in play. Madrid can waste some valuable seconds with a throw-in.
88'
Ander Herrera gets yellow.
Herrera is booked for that foul on Camavinga, before the free-kick is flicked harmlessly wide by Benzema.
87'
Modric almost allows Inaki Williams to steal possession before Camavinga breaks in rapid fashion. The France international has been excellent here, and he wins Madrid a free-kick by tempting Herrera into a foul.
86'
Raúl García enters the game and replaces Mikel Vesga.
Physical forward Raul Garcia is on for Vesga. Athletic will look to pick out the striker at every opportunity now.
85'
T. Kroos enters the game and replaces Dani Ceballos.
Kroos replaces Ceballos in Madrid's midfield as Ancelotti attempts to shore things up.
84'
Madrid have hardly had a kick since Modric entered the fray, with Athletic working the ball patiently in the visitors' half. However, time is running out for Valverde's men.
83'
Rodrygo enters the game and replaces Vinícius Júnior.
With Vinicius having been booked, Ancelotti replaces him with fellow Brazil attacker Rodrygo.
Minute
Description
81'
This time Athletic take a short corner, before Madrid clear their lines. The hosts are finally exerting some sustained pressure, can Madrid see this result through?
79'
Vinícius Júnior gets yellow.
Vinicius is booked for a late challenge on halfway as Madrid begin to sit deeper.
76'
Lekue enters the game and replaces De Marcos.
Lekue becomes the fourth player introduced by Valverde, replacing De Marcos at right-back.
Lekue's first involvement sees him win a corner following a positive run which pushes Mendy back. That's a positive contribution from the versatile full-back.
75'
Guruzeta latches onto Herrera's ball in behind and sees his shot deflected wide by Rudiger. Guruzeta then meets Muniain's set-piece delivery, but he heads wide from an awkward angle.
73'
L. Modrić enters the game and replaces Marco Asensio.
Modric is the first substitute introduced by Ancelotti, replacing Asensio.
Muniain is down following a late challenge from Nacho near the corner flag. The referee denies Athletic a free-kick, however, much to the home fans' annoyance.
71'
Madrid have controlled long periods of this game after Athletic's flying start, but that chance shows the threat the hosts still carry. Ancelotti is preparing to bring on Modric, in a bid to see this result through.
69'
WHAT A CHANCE! That is surely Athletic's best opening yet! Nico Williams pops up at the back post after his brother Inaki is unable to reach a left-wing cross. The 20-year-old has time to bring the ball down just 10 yards from goal, but he completely mishits his shot, and it dribbles wide!
67'
Ander Herrera enters the game and replaces Oier Zarraga.
Gorka Guruzeta enters the game and replaces Álex Berenguer.
Muniain enters the game and replaces Oihan Sancet.
Herrera is on in midfield, replacing Zarraga as Valverde opts to introduce some more experience.
Guruzeta is also on for Athletic, replacing the disappointing Berenguer.
Finally, club captain Muniain enters the action in Sancet's place. Does he hold the key to unlocking Madrid's defence?
63'
Athletic have certainly improved on their meek showing in the final 20 minutes of the first half, but they are yet to test Courtois since the restart. Valverde seems to be readying a series of substitutions.
62'
E. Camavinga gets yellow.
Camavinga makes a late challenge on Yuri, and the France international becomes the first visiting player to be booked.
61'
Good block from Nacho! A terrible pass from Asensio gifts Athletic possession, and Berenguer does well to make space for a shot as he cuts in from the left. Nacho is well placed to block, however, before the referee waves away a muted penalty appeal from Inaki Williams.
59'
SAVE! Madrid work the ball to Vinicius, whose left-wing cross leads to a manic scramble in the area. Nacho sees one close-range effort blocked, before his second is straight at Simon. The Madrid defender should have done better there, having found some space near the edge of the six-yard box.
58'
Dani Vivian gets yellow.
Vivian's challenge on Mendy is late, and it earns the Athletic defender a yellow card. Madrid have a free-kick on the left, at least 30 yards from goal.
57'
Athletic have managed seven shots to Madrid's five so far, but they are yet to carve out a clear-cut chance. Nico Williams concedes a cheap foul on Vinicius in the visitors' half, allowing them to escape with the ball.
55'
Inaki Williams now drives inside from the left wing to win a corner, but the kick comes to nothing.
54'
Vinicius showboats after receiving a pass in space on the left, juggling the ball with no opponent near him. The home fans are irritated, and that irritation turns to fury as Inaki Williams is denied a free-kick following a challenge from Rudiger.
52'
The corner – as well as Nico Williams' second delivery – comes to nothing, but Madrid are unable to get out for now, as Athletic sustain their attack.
51'
Athletic have not started the second half with the same energy they displayed at the beginning of the opening period, but they are at least getting on the front foot, as Nico Williams earns a corner on the right.
50'
Yuri gets yellow.
Yuri is shown the first yellow card of the game after dragging Asensio down in midfield.
48'
Rudiger is on hand to make a fine interception ahead of Berenguer as De Marcos drills a low cross into the area. The offside flag eventually goes up, but Rudiger had to make sure.
46'
There are no changes in personnel as Madrid get us under way for the second half. Can they kick on to claim a vital win?
45' +1
HALF-TIME: ATHLETIC BILBAO 0-1 REAL MADRID
45'
We're into one minute of stoppage time at San Mames as Madrid win a throw on the right wing.
44'
Vesga drills a low effort well wide from 25 yards out. The midfielder is claiming Camavinga caught him as he took the shot, but the referee says no.
43'
Excellent work from Inaki Williams, who steps in to end a long spell of Madrid possession before charging forward down the left. Vinicius is eventually penalised for holding him back, and the Brazil winger is perhaps lucky not to be booked.
40'
Yuri receives treatment after going down with nobody around him. The Athletic full-back is now back on his feet, and he should be fine to continue.
39'
Madrid win a free-kick as Berenguer fouls Camavinga. The home crowd is beginning to grow frustrated, with Athletic having nothing to show for their encouraging start.
38'
Zarraga wins a corner on the right wing, but the delivery is poor and Vivian is unable to keep it alive as Madrid clear their lines.
36'
In truth, Athletic's threat has totally evaporated since Benzema's outstanding strike. Yuri's cross is blocked by Nacho, before Camavinga is on hand to conduct some fine defensive work, stopping Sancet in his tracks.
34'
Nacho is penalised for a foul on Berenguer high up the pitch, allowing Athletic to recover possession. The hosts come forward, but Nacho is then on hand to head another right-wing cross away.
32'
De Marcos whips a decent ball towards the six-yard box, where Militao heads clear. Vinicius then concedes a free-kick on halfway as Athletic attempt to rediscover their attacking threat.
30'
The goal has certainly lifted Madrid, who are escaping Athletic's press with much greater ease now. Nacho's cut-back gives Camavinga the chance to shoot… but his effort is straight at Simon.
26'
Athletic have been excellent so far, but there was no stopping that from Benzema. Can the hosts respond?
24'
K. Benzema has scored a goal for Real Madrid! Assist by Marco Asensio.
Asensio will be credited with an assist, having inadvertently headed a pass down for Benzema. However, the striker must take all the credit as he turned on the ball, firing beyond Simon in one motion. What a finish!
WHAT A GOAL! MADRID LEAD 1-0 AND BENZEMA IS THE SCORER! Wow, what a finish from the Frenchman! Athletic have created plenty of chances so far, but they are left stunned by a left-footed volley from Benzema. Valverde's lofted ball is headed down by Asensio, but Benzema makes light work of a poor lay-off by swivelling and firing into the bottom-right corner!
21'
Madrid win another corner, this time on the left, as Vinicius' clever pass towards Mendy is just about cut out. It's been a very entertaining start at San Mames.
19'
Madrid's corner comes to nothing, before Asensio goes down under the challenge of Yuri. The Athletic full-back is probably fortunate not to have been penalised there, but replays show the incident took place outside the box, so there's nothing VAR can do.
18'
Madrid come forward as Ceballos curls an outstanding ball into Nacho's path. The right-back cuts the ball back towards Benzema, and Paredes blocks his shot behind for a corner.
14'
Athletic break again, and Inaki Williams comes close to picking out his brother Nico with a right-wing cross. Nacho does well to head it clear, before Ceballos eases the pressure by drawing a foul from Zarraga.
12'
Athletic have shown a willingness to press high early on, as De Marcos fouls Mendy near Real Madrid's area. Los Blancos have been forced back so far, but there is plenty of space to exploit if they can beat the press.
9'
An excellent break from Athletic leads to another corner. Madrid see a long spell of possession broken up by De Marcos, before Inaki Williams looks to dart beyond Militao. The defender puts it behind to gift Athletic a set-piece.
5'
Barcelona were able to move six points clear at the LaLiga summit with a 1-0 win over Getafe earlier on despite putting in a disjointed performance. Madrid will have to be much better if they are to cut that gap again, if the opening minutes are anything to go by.
3'
Athletic are dominating possession early on, but Nico Williams is unable to get his cross away under pressure from Mendy, allowing Madrid to calm things down with a goal-kick.
2'
Paredes flicks on Sancet's delivery on his full debut, but there is no red and white shirt there to convert at the back post. The hosts keep the attack alive, however, and Militao is forced to head Inaki Williams' cross clear.
1'
The hosts get the ball rolling. The latest instalment of one of Spain's most historic fixtures is under way!
Athletic make a fast start as De Marcos wins an early corner off Mendy!
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of Real Madrid's trip to Athletic Bilbao, as Los Blancos look to close the gap to LaLiga leaders Barcelona!
Real Madrid have been heavily criticised following an inconsistent run since returning from the World Cup break. With Barcelona moving six points clear at the LaLiga summit with a 1-0 win against Getafe, Carlo Ancelotti's men need a response – but a trip to San Mames to face eighth-placed Athletic Bilbao will provide them with a stern test!
ATHLETIC BILBAO SUBS: Julen Agirrezabala, Jon Morcillo, Iker Muniain, Gorka Guruzeta, Dani Garcia, Inigo Lekue, Unai Vencedor, Asier Villalibre, Ander Capa, Raul Garcia, Ander Herrera, Mikel Balenziaga.
REAL MADRID (4-3-3): Thibaut Courtois; Nacho, Antonio Rudiger, Eder Militao, Ferland Mendy; Dani Ceballos, Eduardo Camavinga, Federico Valverde; Vinicius Junior, Karim Benzema, Marco Asensio.
REAL MADRID SUBS: Andriy Lunin, Luis Lopez, Jesus Vallejo, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Alvaro Odriozola, Rodrygo, Mariano Diaz.
The teams are out at San Mames, where there is always a fabulous atmosphere when Real Madrid come to town! Kick-off is moments away.
ATHLETIC BILBAO (4-2-3-1): Unai Simon; Oscar de Marcos, Aitor Paredes, Dani Vivian, Yuri Berchiche; Oier Zarraga, Mikel Vesga; Alex Berenguer, Oihan Sancet, Nico Williams; Inaki Williams.
As it stands, Real Madrid are set to close the gap to LaLiga leaders Barcelona to three points, following the Blaugrana's win over Getafe. However, if Athletic can rediscover the intensity they started the match with, this contest is far from over. Inaki Williams and younger brother Nico have both been lively, and they could yet deal a blow to Madrid's title defence.
Athletic put their visitors under plenty of pressure but ultimately lacked a killer instinct in front of goal, with the offside flag correctly denying Inaki Williams a potential leveller in the second half. Valverde's men stay eighth following a fourth league game without a win, while Real Madrid are still within touching distance of Barcelona in an enthralling title race!
We hope you have enjoyed our live coverage of an entertaining affair at San Mames. It's goodbye from us, and we hope to see you again soon!
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