Real Madrid rode a pair of Karim Benzema goals to a win over Athletic Bilbao as LaLiga closed out play for 2021 on Wednesday night ahead of a holiday break.
Benzema scored twice inside of the first seven minutes in an action-packed start to the game, but the hosts pulled one back soon after with a goal from Oihan Sancet to halve the lead.
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Despite the furious start, neither team scored again in a highly entertaining first half at San Mames, with Carlo Ancelotti’s side taking a 2-1 lead into the break.
The end-to-end play continued in the second half, but Bilbao couldn’t find a way back into the match and Real Madrid extended their lead in LaLiga to eight over second-placed Sevilla, who have a game in hand.
Benzema was applauded by the Bilbao supporters when he was subbed off in a rare gesture of goodwill between rival teams.
“I like this kind of football, at a great stadium like this, it makes me happy,” said Benzema after the match. “But the victory makes me even happier and more proud, we know they’re a difficult team, it’s good to win here.
“It was a good game for us against a very good opponent. We conceded a goal but we scored two and it’s three points for us.”
