Real Madrid 4-2 Athletic Club: Los Blancos end frustrating campaign with victory

Real Madrid won 4-2 against Athletic Club at the Santiago Bernabeu to finish a difficult season on a positive note. Gonzalo Garcia scored in the 11th minute from Dani Carvajal’s cross-field pass after a flowing move. Jude Bellingham doubled the lead five minutes before halftime with a half volley assisted by Thiago Pitarch. Gorka Guruzeta pulled one back just before the break with a low volley that beat Thibaut Courtois. Kylian Mbappe restored the two-goal advantage five minutes after halftime. Brahim Diaz added a fourth in the 87th minute, and Urko Izeta scored for Athletic in added time. Several players embraced departing coach Alvaro Arbeloa, with some booing during the celebrations.

"Real opened the scoring in the 11th minute courtesy of Garcia, who lashed home from the departing Dani Carvajal's sublime cross-field pass following a neat passage of play from the hosts. Jude Bellingham added a second five minutes before the break when he hit a sumptuous half volley that flew high into the net after another wonderful assist, this time from Thiago Pitarch."

"Athletic hit back almost instantly, with Gorka Guruzeta halving the deficit on the stroke of half time to give the visitors something to cheer about with a fierce low volley from inside the box that gave goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois no chance. Real restored their two-goal advantage just five minutes after the break when Kylian Mbapppe fired in from the edge of the area."

"He, like Bellingham, then embraced Arbeloa but was booed by sections of the home support. Brahim Diaz then scored a fourth in the 87th minute before Urko Izeta scored for the visitors as the game ticked over into added time. It was a frantic end to the game, one that saw Real, and indeed several of their players and staff, go out on a high."

"Notably, after scoring his goal, the England international - who will be part of the Three Lions squad at the World Cup this summer - went over and hugged head coach Alvaro Arbeloa, who will be leaving the club alongside Carvajal and David Alaba."

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