Karim Benzema scored in his last game for Real Madrid as they drew 1-1 with Athletic Bilbao.
The Basque outfit started the better side and got a penalty after just 11 minutes when Toni Kroos handled from a corner. Mikel Vesga stepped up and had his spot-kick saved by Thibaut Courtois.
Bilabo’s goalkeeper Unai Simon was just as busy with both No.1s making good saves in the opening period to keep the game goalless.
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After the break, Oihan Sancet finished well inside the box after Dani Ceballos was tackled to put his side ahead.
Another penalty was given when Yuri Berichiche caught Eder Militao with an arm in the box.
This presented Benzema with a chance to say a perfect farewell to fans as he slotted it home and was then subbed off with a goal being his fitting final touch.
Osasuna beat Girona, meaning they secured Conference League qualification over Bilbao. Real finish second.
TALKING POINT – GOODBYE BENZEMA
14 years, 354 goals, a record 25 trophies including five Champions League and four La Liga titles. Benzema leaves Real Madrid a legend. He was for years in the shadow of Cristiano Ronaldo bit ever since CR7 left the Frenchman filled the void brilliantly and stepped up. Benzema was the underrated star of the show for years before coming the main man himself and winning the Ballon d’Or for his efforts in recent years. But he has decided to leave the Santiago Bernabeu for good. It was not a great performance from him today as he was quiet throughout, but in typical fashion he scored and that would be his final kick for the club as Carlo Ancelotti subbed him off straight after. Benzema looked emotional as fans applauded him off the pitch. He has been linked with a transfer to a Saudi Arabian club.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH – THIBAUT COURTOIS
Athletic Bilabo had many chances in the game and were unlucky not to score more. The Belgian proved why he is arguably the best goalkeeper in the world, first saving Vesga’s penalty and then denying both the Williams brothers with great saved. Courtois was a one-man defence at times as Rea Madrid pushed forward for the equaliser and then winner.
PLAYER RATINGS
Real Madrid: Courtois 9, Carvajal 6, Militao 7, Nacho 6, Rudiger 5, Camavinga 6, Ceballos 5, Kroos 7, Vinicius Jr 8, Rodrygo 7, Benzema 7.
Subs: Asensio 6, Tchouameni 6, Modric 6, Vazquez 6.
Athletic Bilbao: Simon 8, De Marcos 8, Vivian 8, Paredes 7, Berichiche 8, Herrera 7, Vesga 6, I.Williams 7, Sancet 7, N.Williams 7, Guruzeta 6.
Subs: Berenguer 6, Zarraga 6, Vencedor 6, Muniain 7, Garcia 6.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
11′ – MISSED PENALTY (VESGA): A corner is whipped in by Athletic to the back post, I.WIlliams heads it and Kroos’ arm is out and it hits him. His arm is away from his body and despite him not looking at the ball it was in an unnatural position – penalty awarded… Courtois take a bow. It is Vesga who steps up and his penalty is far from great. It is soft and at a nice height for the keeper as he guesses the right way to turn it aside.
49′ GOAL (SANCET): Sancet scores a goal which could take his side into the Conference League next season. Ceballos is sloppy on the ball and is tackled by De Marcos, Real Madrid are open and he slides it into Sancet. His initial shot is saved by Courtois but he reacts quickest to the rebound and fires it beyond the keeper at the second time of asking.
72′ GOAL (BENZEMA): Militao goes down as Berichiche catches the centre-back after he came forward for a set-piece. It is soft but it is a knock to the face and VAR won’t overturn it… Benzema says goodbye with a goal, he slots it down the middle.
KEY STAT
Benzema has won more titles than any other player for Real Madrid in history with 25 trophies.
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