MATCH REPORT: REAL MADRID Vs ATHLETIC BILBAO.

Quality stock. Real Madrid had to display all their weaponry against Athletic Bilbao, who proved much fiercer than anticipated judging from their position on the table. They even managed to take the lead after an offside goal in the first half. Fabio Capello took a high-stake gamble at halftime, putting Beckham and Ronaldo at the beginning of the second half... and it paid off. Ronie and Roberto Carlos scored one a piece and turned the scoreboard over. Real Madrid are now second in the League.


MATCH REPORT:
------------------------

2. REAL MADRID: Iker Casillas; Míchel Salgado, Sergio Ramos, Mejía, Roberto Carlos; Emerson (Beckham, 46'), Diarra; Robinho, Raul, Reyes (Ronaldo, 46'); Van Nistelrooy.

1. ATHLETIC BILBAO: Lafuente; Iraola, Luis Prieto, Sarriegui, Expósito; Orbáiz (Murillo, 56'), Javi Martínez, Yeste (Urzáiz, 69'), Gabilondo; Etxeberría (Casas, 80') & Adúriz.

GOALS:
0-1. 35'. Javi Martínez,deflecting the ball after a free-kick.
1-1. 65'. Ronaldo, after a great pass by Sergio Ramos.
2-1. 81'. Roberto Carlos, ground shot 25 metres from the goal.

REFEREE: Rodríguez Santiago. Castilla-Leon Refereeing Association. Booked Sergio Ramos (48'), Diarra (53'), Mejía (86'), Yeste (58') & Expósito (76'). Red carded Adúriz (75') for elbowing Diarra on the face.

HIGHLIGHTS: Crowd of 78,000 at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.