Real Madrid got the job done upon their return to LaLiga action following the international break as they picked up three more points against Athletic Club in their quest for the league title. Rodrygo was the star of the show at the Santiago Bernabéu, netting both goals for the league leaders. As well as the win, the other major news for Madrid was the return of Militão after 232 days out through injury.
The team came out firing on all cylinders from the off and were 1-0 up after just eight minutes. Rodrygo got on the end of a lofted pass from Brahim in midfield, drove to the edge of the area and then curled an unstoppable right-footed effort past Agirrezabala. Athletic Club took control of the ball from that point onwards, but Real Madrid continued to create chances. Kroos tried his luck from outside the box in the 34th minute, but his shot was well saved by the keeper. Five minutes later, Valverde picked up a rebound from a corner outside the area. After bringing the ball down with his thigh, he unleashed a powerful right-footed effort that the keeper scrambled to keep out. Tchouameni almost made it 2-0 as he headed a corner from Kroos just wide of the Bilbao post.
More Madrid chances
The pace and tempo of the match picked up in the second half. Rodrygo fed Brahim in the 49th minute, sending him through on goal, his shot beat Agirrezabala but struck the post. Athletic Club responded with a close-range effort from Williams but Lunin pulled off a great reflex save. It was an end-to-end affair, and it was Madrid who looked the more likely again after good link up play between Carvajal, Valverde and Brahim, but Brahim's shot went just over.
Rodrygo's second and Militão's return
Rodrygo was involved in a controversial situation when he picked up a rebound from Vesga, raced into the box and was brought down by Lekue. Alberola Rojas blew for a non-existent offside, given that the previous pass did not come from Bellingham but from an Athletic player. Both Madrid players were involved in creating the decisive goal to make it 2-0. The Englishman played Rodrygo through on goal who beat Vivian with a beautiful cut-back before coolly slotting the ball past Agirrezabala. To cap off the victory for the leaders, Militão made his return after more than seven months out, as the Santiago Bernabéu gave him a standing ovation on a very special night for the Brazilian defender.