Summary

  • Aritz Aduriz power-header earns Athletic win

  • Aduriz also heads against post

  • Bale almost levels with wonder-strike

  • Barca can go top with win on Sunday

  1. SUBSTITUTIONpublished at 18:21 Greenwich Mean Time 7 March 2015

    A change for Athletic as Iker Muniain comes off, with Markel Susaeta coming on. Disappointing display from Muniain, but Susaeta's got what it takes to test the Real defence too.

  2. CLOSE!published at 18:19 Greenwich Mean Time 7 March 2015

    Another chance for Real goes begging as Gorka Iraizoz storms off his line to block at the feet of Karim Benzema, played in behind the Athletic defence from an angled Isco through ball.

    Cristiano Ronaldo then heads one down into the box, but there's nobody following up. Athletic have all hands on deck and clear the ball straight back to the Real defence.

  3. Postpublished at 18:14 Greenwich Mean Time 7 March 2015

    Great defending form Pepe as Athletic look to break quickly through Inaki Williams on the counter. The Real centre-back shows his experience to just lever the forward off the ball, winning a goal kick in the process.

  4. Postpublished at 18:12 Greenwich Mean Time 7 March 2015

    Gareth Bale effortlessly chests down a Toni Kroos cross-field pass to plant the ball sweetly onto his left foot. Off he goes, running at the Athletic left-back, but he is soon outnumbered as players come across to cover.

    Real's Blitzkrieg start to the second half has petered out a bit, and the centre-backs are having to push very high up with the ball.

  5. Postpublished at 18:10 Greenwich Mean Time 7 March 2015

    Athletic have done well to soak up a bit of this Real pressure. Whatever Carlo Ancelotti said at half-time has worked wonders. The power of the eyebrow.

  6. Join the debate at #bbceurofootypublished at 18:09 Greenwich Mean Time 7 March 2015

    Toniwater: Real Madrid have flat-lined since the turn of the year after blasting out of the blocks. Toni Kroos needs to step up big time and show his class!

    Get involved using #bbceurofooty, external on Twitter, or text us on 81111 (UK only) - don't forget to add your name and location. Extra points for photographic evidence.

  7. CLOSE!published at 18:07 Greenwich Mean Time 7 March 2015

    Gareth Bale - he's been quiet so far but that's probably the closest Real have come to scoring. His cut-back is clawed away by Gorka Iraizoz, with Cristiano Ronaldo having already visualised his chest-puff celebration. Breathless, and much, much better from Real.

  8. CLOSE!published at 18:05 Greenwich Mean Time 7 March 2015

    Much better from Real though too! Karim Benzema is nanoseconds away from connecting with a cut-back but Salvador Balenziaga is there to toe-end the ball to safety. End-to-end stuff.

  9. Postpublished at 18:04 Greenwich Mean Time 7 March 2015

    Athletic on the attack practically straight from kick-off as Inaki Williams surges towards the Real box.

    He almost runs a bit too quickly for his own good though, and the ball works itself loose towards the chasing Real midfield.

  10. KICK-OFFpublished at 18:01 Greenwich Mean Time 7 March 2015

    And we are back under way at San Mames. Plenty of scribbling still going on in the Athletic dugout. Pens and papers down, please - the half-time break's over.

  11. Postpublished at 18:01 Greenwich Mean Time 7 March 2015

    Dutch Eredivisie

    Over in the Netherlands, PSV have just increased their real-time lead to a cool 14 points over Ajax, Memphis Depay with the goal. Half an hour played in that one.

    Ajax play Excelsior Rotterdam on Sunday.

  12. Postpublished at 17:58 Greenwich Mean Time 7 March 2015

    French Ligue 1

    Paris St-Germain playersImage source, AFP

    Javier Pastore put the icing on the cake for Paris St-Germain with a late goal at the Parc des Princes as they warmed up for next week's Champions League clash against Chelsea with an emphatic win over Lens.

    PSG are now back at the summit of Ligue 1, although Lyon will regain top spot if they win away at Montpellier on Sunday night.

  13. Postpublished at 17:58 Greenwich Mean Time 7 March 2015

    Barcelona must be rubbing their collective hands together watching this. They play tomorrow morning (at 11:00 GMT) against Rayo Vallecano, a match anybody who's anybody will be expecting them to win.

    Real are under pressure at the top. Carki Ancelotti was in bullish form in his press conference on Friday, swatting away the critics while pointing to his haul of three European Cups. But the Madrid press won't give him an easy ride if the scores stay the same, that's for sure.

  14. HALF-TIMEpublished at 17:48 Greenwich Mean Time 7 March 2015

    Well we thought we'd have a few more seconds to see another corner for Real but the referee blows up exactly on time. He's even shown his watch to the players - see? Asier Illarramendi doesn't look too convinced.

  15. Postpublished at 17:47 Greenwich Mean Time 7 March 2015

    Gareth Bale is trying to force a goal though, he forces a corner, eagerly scampering down the Real right. Cristiano Ronaldo is looking increasingly frustrated meanwhile. His looping header plays the corner back into the box, and Bale is penalised for challenging the goalkeeper.

    One minute added on.

  16. Postpublished at 17:44 Greenwich Mean Time 7 March 2015

    Just under five minutes to go before the break and still no sign of a Real comeback. This Athletic team look a real handful - good in possession and quick to press.

  17. YELLOW CARDpublished at 17:43 Greenwich Mean Time 7 March 2015

    Another yellow card dished out by the referee - that's four so far. Asier Illarramendi is the guilty party this time, and it's for another cynical trip as play was opening up.

    On the Real bench, assistant manager Paul Clement whispers into Carlo Ancelotti's ear. What plan are they hatching?

  18. YELLOW CARDpublished at 17:41 Greenwich Mean Time 7 March 2015

    Xabier Etxeita goes into the book for a cynical challenge on Cristiano Ronaldo, just as it looked like he'd fashioned some space to run at goal. No points for what Ronaldo's next thought was going to be.

  19. Postpublished at 17:40 Greenwich Mean Time 7 March 2015

    French Ligue 1

    Zlatan IbrahimovicImage source, AFP

    On his return from a two-match suspension Zlatan Ibrahimovic put Paris St-Germain 2-0 up against Lens from the penalty spot, but the home side did have not had it all their own way.

    Yoann Touzghar pulled a goal back for Lens with just over 10 minutes left to play at the Parc de Princes, but any hope of a tense finale has just been ended by Blaise Matuidi's goal for PSG.

  20. Postpublished at 17:39 Greenwich Mean Time 7 March 2015

    Real are yet to register a shot on target, although when Gareth Bale's effort hit Gorka Iraizoz's legs it looked like it might have actually been onside.

    Athletic really are very quick to press their opponents, the players in Real's side can unlock the defence with just one slick movement.