Real Madrid 4-2 Athletic Club: Garcia 12, Bellingham 41, Mbappe 51, Diaz 88; Guruzeta 45+1, Izeta 90+1
Real Madrid closed their league campaign with a 4-2 victory over Athletic Club at the Santiago Bernabeu, giving the departing Alvaro Arbeloa a winning farewell in front of the home supporters.
Los Blancos at least finish on a positive note after a challenging season that ended without silverware. Arbeloa stepped in midway through the campaign following Xabi Alonso’s departure but couldn’t prevent Barcelona from comfortably claiming the title.
The match was also a Bernabeu farewell for veteran defender David Alaba and captain Dani Carvajal, who made their final appearances for the club. For the visitors, Ernesto Valverde ended his latest spell in charge of Athletic. The experienced coach leaves after overseeing more than 500 matches across three separate tenures with the Basque side.
The hosts struck first after 12 minutes when Gonzalo Garcia met a through ball from Dani Carvajal on Madrid’s right side, and guided his finish beyond Athletic goalkeeper Alex Padilla. Madrid continued to dominate possession and doubled their advantage shortly before the break through a moment of brilliance from Jude Bellingham.
Thiago Pitarch, operating from midfield, spotted Bellingham’s run and floated an exquisite pass into the penalty area. The England international controlled the ball expertly on his chest before firing a superb left-footed volley into the bottom corner.
Athletic responded deep into first-half stoppage time. Inaki Williams found space on the right and delivered a cross that Gorka Guruzeta converted from close range, reducing the deficit and giving the visitors hope heading into the interval.
But any momentum Athletic gained was quickly halted after the restart. Just six minutes into the second half, Kylian Mbappe restored Madrid’s two-goal cushion when he cut in at the edge of the area and fired beyond Padilla.
Mbappe nearly added another shortly after the hour mark but this time Padilla produced an excellent save to deny him at the near post.
Madrid put the contest beyond doubt late on when Brahim Diaz finished confidently after racing onto a pass inside the box, but Athletic managed a late consolation through Urko Izeta, who headed home in stoppage time.
