Real Madrid made a great effort against ten Athletic Bilbao players but ultimately won 3-1 in
the Spanish Premier League, thanks to two goals from Karim Benzema, to claim their fourth
successive victory in all competitions.
Bilbao striker Raul Garcia was sent off in the 13th minute for receiving a second yellow card,
but Real Madrid only took the lead at the end of the first half with a low shot from Toni Kroos.
The Basque team continued to cope well with the numerical shortfall in the second half and
equalized by Andre Kaba in the 52nd minute, before defending champion Benzema back in
the lead with a header in the 74th minute.
Bilbao substitute Mikel Vesja missed a huge opportunity to tie in stoppage time, but Real Madrid
goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois responded in a brilliant way, killing Benzema with the third goal
of a counterattack immediately after.
