Starting Lineups

Real Madrid starting XI: Courtois, Carvajal, Asencio, Alaba, Carreras, Camavinga, Valverde, Bellingham, Mastantuono, Gonzalo, Mbappé

Athletic Bilbao starting XI (TBC): Simón, Gorosabel, Vivian, Paredes, Lekue, Jauregizar, Rego, Gomez, Iñaki, Navarro, Guruzeta.

Thank You – David and Dani

First Half

Excitement for the match with a twist of sadness as fans entered the stadium. It is Carvajal’s last match as a Madrid player. Devoted fans made a Tifo for him. Both teams started strong. Bilbao with a near chance that glided just past the right post in the 3rd minute. Madrid became more threatening in the final third. With a great ball played out from the back, Gonzalo Garcia was able to split the Bilbao defenders and slot a beautiful shot to the bottom right of Bilbao’s goal beating Padilla (12th minute). After Madrid scored, they continued to put on the pressure forcing Bilbao to play a bit deeper. Bilbao on the counter looked threatening at times, however they couldn’t seem to find the back of the net. Jude splits the defense and scores an absolute ripper of a half volley in the 40th minute to put Madrid up 2-0 on the cusp of halftime. Unfortunately for Madrid, the defense finally caved in the 46th minute to a wonderful strike from Bilbao’s Guruzeta.

Second Half 

Bilbao opened the start of the second half looking dangerous as they had two great chances in the first minute of play. Madrid needed to wake up if they wanted to maintain their lead as it was  not a comfortable one. In the 50th minute Mbappe finally gets his name back on the score sheet with a beautiful cut to the right and a dangerous strike from outside the box seeing the ball shot low and driven, Padilla had no chance of stopping that one. After his stunning goal Mbappe finally seemed to have his confidence back as he attempted more chances on goal, most of which fell just wide for the Frenchman.

Jude Bellingham had a great chance stopped by the keeper in the 56th minute. Madrid looked much more dominant this half and put immense pressure on Bilbao. 61st minute, Mbappe had another wonderful chance that was stopped by Padilla.  Alaba was subbed off in the 67th minute to a wonderful standing ovation from the crowd. 

Dani Carvajal made his final strides to the sideline as he was subbed off in the 82nd minute. An absolute legend of the club who rose through the academy all the way to the first team. His contributions for Madrid are hard to put into words for all that he gave the club. Whether a fan of Madrid or not, it is hard to see a legend go.As the match began to grow closer to the 90th minute Brahim Diaz scored a banger of a goal in the 88th minute.  This goal wasn’t for just Diaz to own. He ran straight to the sideline to celebrate with Alaba and Carvajal. What a beautiful moment that was! Madrid secured the victory 4-2 even with Bilbao scoring their 2nd goal in stoppage time.