He was on target in his pre-match warmups, and Athletic Club are a club he loves to score against, so that's a rare whiff! 💥 @Benzema 💥#AthleticRealMadrid #LaLigaSantander pic. com/Y63mKew7sQ — LaLiga (@LaLiga) January 22, 2023 4th min: Athletic Club aren't pressing incredibly high but Real Madrid are passing it around the back and coaxing the hosts out of their shell. They oblige, and it results in a few turnovers in dangerous positions, but nothing comes of it... yet. Kickoff: The game is under way! Lots of pressure on Real Madrid to perform in this road match given Barcelona's result earlier.
com/3Yq1b3Jjrl Watch in Australia: — Optus Sport (@OptusSport) January 22, 2023 20th min: Now it's Real Madrid into the attack, and first Karim Benzema rifles a shot wide before Marco Asensio is felled at the edge of the penalty area by Yuri Berchiche. Madrid players scream for a penalty, and VAR has a look, but play is continued with no call. It's a dicey one for sure, and Berchiche will need to be careful, but there's probably not quite enough in that for VAR to overturn the call. Athletic get away with one! That's a clear foul 17th min: Chance, Athletic Club! Nico Williams fires for the far post, having nutmegged Eduardo Camavinga, but he hits it just wide! Beat the goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois who was full stretch, but also beat the post.
Eduardo Camavinga gets a yellow for a tackle in midfield. It's a bit soft but definitely at least a foul. Always predictable, he'll need to improve his discipline as he matures. 58th min: Chance, Real Madrid! Daniel Vivian is the next Athletic player into the referee's book, as he chops down Ferland Mendy with a poor challenge that was quite unnecessary. On the restart, Vinicius Jr sends in a great ball and Karim Benzema pokes it to Nacho Fernandez, who has two bites of the apple. The first is blocked but the second is on frame, and Unai Simon makes a great save! 54th min: Vinicius Jr receives the ball in acres of space on the left flank and plays a bit of keepy-uppie until a passing option materialises.
9th min: A few common occurrances for Real Madrid as Vinicius Jr, the league's most fouled player, gets hacked in midfield. Then Karim Benzema weaves his way effortlessly through a few players at the top corner of the penalty area but his feed to Marco Asensio sees the move shut off and Madrid have to recycle. They're comfortable on the ball now, but have yet to truly threaten the hosts' goal. 7th min: Karim Benzema has the first shot on target of the match for either side, but he misfires and sends it high and wide.
That's a poor decision, as he had room to run and teammates in support. 24th min: GOAL! REAL MADRID! Who else but Karim Benzema against his favorite opponent! Federico Valverde fires in a ball into the penalty area, and while the initial delivery was meant for Marco Asensio at the far post, it's cleared momentarily. It drops to Benzema who contorts his body exceptionally and rifles one that bulges the side netting with incredible skill. What a goal! BENZEMA LEFT FOOT VOLLEY! 🤯 pic. com/6UukPzq5xI Karim Benzema puts Real Madrid on the board! #LaLiga pic.
Hopefully he can continue on if they pop it back in place. He looks to be ok once he reaches the touchline, speaking briefly with Carlo Ancelotti to tell the Real Madrid boss he's alright. A nice moment. 39th min: Athletic begin to ramp up the pressure in the attacking half, and win their fourth corner of the match. Again Real Madrid clear. Athletic have been energetic at times but cannot put it together on set pieces. 35th min: Athletic Club aren't attacking through the middle, mostly progressing down the flanks instead, so Eduardo Camavinga hasn't had a ton to do defensively, but in possession the young French midfielder has been quite good so far, in now his fourth consecutive start in league play. 19/21 passing, with both misses coming on long deliveries. Important possessional display early against the occasional Athletic press, which has proven energetic and pinpoint. He has also won three clearances.
66th min: Chance, Real Madrid! Goodness, Marco Asensio came so close to doubling Real Madrid's lead! Karim Benzema slips Asensio through down the right edge of the six-yard box, but somehow he drags the shot wide across the face of goal. He will expect himself to score there, and it leaves the game still in the balance. Athletic don't have the same incisive nature as they did in the first half. Substitutions should be imminent, and honestly it's a bit surprising they haven't already been introduced. Ernesto Valverde maybe a little slow to make changes. — El Chiringuito TV (@elchiringuitotv) January 22, 2023 62nd min: Athletic are screaming for a penalty but it's not given, and rightly so, as Eder Militao made a great tackle on Inaki Williams right on the end line that saw the Athletic man dramatically crumple to the turf.
It would be silly for Madrid to let him go at this point given their current squad makeup. He's a necessary piece of that puzzle. Sobre el interés que ha mostrado Arsenal por Eduardo Camavinga. Ancelotti llama al mediocampista 'INTOCABLE' 👀 pic. com/3jxCM8wpY3 — ESPN Deportes (@ESPNDeportes) January 22, 2023 70 mins to kick: The Athletic Club lineup is in, and head coach Ernesto Valverde has made a change up front.
The club has managed just one goal in their last three league games, so regular striker Gorka Guruzeta sits as does backup Raul Garcia, moving Inaki Williams back into the central striker role after a recent run out on the wing. They are also starting a pair of backup centre-backs due to injury and suspension. 90 mins to kick: It's packed outside San Mames Barria Stadium! The Athletic fans are buzzing, this is a match that can reignite their charge up the table after their good early-season form has fizzled a bit.
Athletic Club vs Real Madrid live score, H2H and lineups