Real Madrid extended their lead at the top of the LaLiga table after defeating Athletic Bilbao 2-0 on Sunday evening.
LaLiga
Result: Real Madrid v Athletic Bilbao
Date: 31 March 2024
Venue: Santiago Bernabeu
Los Blancos were without Vinicius Junior but were boosted by the return of Jude Bellingham, who was accompanied by Nacho, as the only two changes from their thumping win over Osasuna.
Carlo Ancelotti's charges had a dream start after Rodrygo gave them the lead within the first eight minutes after going on a run and fired a strike into the top corner.
Bilbao absorbed the pressure and looked dangerous going forward on transitions but they could not yet isolate the Madrid defenders.
The hosts gained control of the game after the half-hour mark and Aurelien Tchouameni was unfortunate not to make it 2-0 on the stroke of half-time after his header came off the post from a corner by Toni Kroos.
Madrid were quick off the blocks from the interval as three minutes in Brahim Diaz also came very close to doubling their lead with a strike that came off the post after a through ball by Rodrygo.
Ancelotti's men looked to hit Bilbao on counter-attacks, as the visitors were desperate to get the equaliser but they had to be patient and with 18 minutes to go, the Italian manager brought on the fresh legs of Joselu in place of Diaz.
Madrid were eventually successful on a counter-attack two minutes later as Rodrygo sealed the result and grabbed his brace with a strike at the near post after a through ball by Bellingham.
Ancelotti locked the game in midfield in the dying minutes with a double change, as Eduardo Camavinga replaced Kroos and Luka Modric came on for Rodrygo.
Madrid extended their lead at the top of the table and ahead of second-placed Barcelona to eight points.
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