Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao: La Liga – At home against Athletic Club, Karim Benzema scored the equaliser to round out his Real Madrid career in spectacular fashion. The iconic forward scored from the penalty spot to save an otherwise lacklustre Madrid effort and assist Los Blancos snag a 1-1 draw against a spirited Athletic Club team. On the other hand, Oihan Sancet started Athletic’s score.
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Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema netted a penalty in his final LaLiga game at the Bernabeu but was unable to inspire them to victory as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.
Earlier on Sunday, Madrid announced that Ballon d’Or winner Benzema will leave the club as a free agent in the close season after 14 trophy-laden years, with the French striker linked with a move to Saudi Arabian side Al Ittihad.
Oihan Sancet gave Bilbao the lead in the 49th minute after Thibaut Courtois stopped a Mikel Vesga penalty early in the first half. Sancet poked a weak effort at the custodian before firing in the rebound for his 10th league goal of the year.
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After Yuri Berchiche elbowed Eder Militao in the face in the Bilbao penalty area, Real equalised in the 72nd minute. Benzema stepped up to calmly convert the penalty kick, earning a standing ovation from the crowd.
Real held onto second place despite the draw, as 10-man Atletico Madrid were held 2-2 at Villarreal following Jorge Pascual’s 92nd-minute equaliser. Diego Simeone’s side finished the season with 77 points, one behind local rivals Real.
Osasuna secured a spot in the Europa Conference League, beating Girona 2-1 to finish seventh, two points above Bilbao.
Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao confirmed lineups
Real Madrid XI (4-3-3): Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Nacho, Rudiger; Kroos, Camavinga, Ceballos; Rodrygo, Benzema, Vinicius
Athletic Bilbao XI (4-2-3-1): Simon; De Marcos, Vivian, Paredes, Yuri; Vesga, Herrera; I Williams, Sancet, N Williams; Guruzeta
With inputs from Reuters..
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