Real Madrid v Athletic Bilbao – Story of the match

Cristiano Ronaldo provided a late moment of magic to rescue a point for Real Madrid against Athletic Bilbao at the Bernabeu.

The visiting side appeared on course to take all three points after Inaki Williams netted the opening goal with 14 minutes gone.

But Ronaldo provided a deft flick from Luka Modric’s 87-minute strike to keep Real’s slim hopes of leapfrogging second-placed Atletico Madrid alive.

📸⚖ A share of the spoils against @Athletic_en thanks to @Cristiano‘s late leveller. #RMLiga pic.twitter.com/5sxq4E5wRC

— Real Madrid C.F.🇺🇸🇬🇧 (@realmadriden) April 18, 2018

Tweet of the match

So that last-ditch back heel equaliser means Ronaldo has scored in 12 straight games… 25 goals in his last 15 matches…And that run includes games against Juventus (twice), Atletico Madrid, PSG (twice), Betis and Valencia…

— Gabriele Marcotti (@Marcotti) April 18, 2018

Star man – Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates his goal (Francisco Seco/AP)

After he was rested against Malaga, Ronaldo was back in the Real side for the visit of Bilbao. The 33-year-old was at the heart of Real’s drive for an equaliser before popping up with a crucial flick just three minutes from time.

Moment of the match

64´ UUUYYYY! Raúl García shoots the crossbar after a previous @InigoCordoba18 shot that hits Carvajal! 0-1 #athlive #RealMadridAthletic

— Athletic Club (@Athletic_en) April 18, 2018

Athletic Bilbao did not have much of the ball in the second half but they should have put the game beyond Real’s reach after 64 minutes. Inigo Cordoba’s shot was blocked but when the ball broke to Raul Garcia 12 yards out he really should have scored only to rattle the crossbar. Ronaldo made the visitors pay.

Data point

🔥 @Cristiano‘s last 12 matches:

🆚 @AthleticClub ⚽🆚 @juventusfc ⚽🆚 @Atleti ⚽🆚 @juventusfc ⚽⚽🆚 @GironaFC ⚽⚽⚽⚽🆚 @SDEibar ⚽⚽🆚 @PSG_inside ⚽🆚 @GetafeCF ⚽⚽🆚 @Alaves ⚽⚽🆚 @RealBetis ⚽🆚 @PSG_inside ⚽⚽🆚 @RealSociedad ⚽⚽⚽ pic.twitter.com/Nph63PUhGe

— Real Madrid C.F.🇺🇸🇬🇧 (@realmadriden) April 18, 2018

Ronaldo has scored in each of his last 12 appearances for Real Madrid netting a remarkable 22 goals along the way.

Player ratings

Kepa Arrizabalaga kept Real at bay for 87 minutes (Nick Potts/Empics)

Real Madrid: Navas 6, Carvajal 6, Varane 6, Ramos 6, Marcelo 6, Kroos 6, Modric 7, Ascensio 6, Vasquez 6, Benzema 5, Ronaldo 8.
Subs: Isco 5 (for Asensio, 69) Bale 5 (for Benzema, 69)

Athletic Bilbao: Arrizabalaga 8, Lekue 6, Nunez 6, Martinez 7, Balenziaga 7, San Jose 6, Iturraspe 5, De Marcos 6, Garcia 6, Cordoba 7, Williams 7.
Subs: Munian 5 (for Cordoba, 70) Susaeta 5 (for Lekue, 79) Aduriz 5 (for Williams, 85)