Athletic Bilbao 1-0 Real Madrid

Aritz Aduriz scored his 10th goal of the season for Athletic Bilbao against Real Madrid

Real Madrid were unable to increase their advantage at the top of La Liga after they were beaten by Athletic Bilbao at San Mames.

Athletic striker Aritz Aduriz, 30, put the hosts ahead with a header from Mikel Rico's cross.

Real dominated the game after half-time and Gareth Bale's audacious long-range effort struck the post.

But Athletic hung on to claim the victory which means Real have just a two-point lead over Barcelona.

The Catalan club will go top if they can take maximum points from Sunday's match against Rayo Vallecano at the Nou Camp.

Real coach Carlo Ancelotti, who guided the club to their 10th European Cup last year, was forced to defend himself against criticism from supporters earlier this week.

Some fans are unhappy with Ancelotti's approach, with media reports claiming they view the Italian as a soft touch.

Real's lead was cut to two points following last weekend's 1-1 draw at home to Villarreal and more dropped points against the Basque club could prove costly for Ancelotti's side.

Athletic opened the scoring when Aduriz escaped the attentions of Real defender Pepe and powerfully headed Rico's cross past keeper Iker Casillas.

After a modest first-half display Real were much improved after the break and Athletic keeper Gorka Iraizoz saved at the feet of Karim Benzema on the hour.

Cristiano Ronaldo appealed for a penalty after he went down under Iraizoz's challenge, while Wales forward Bale's superb long-range effort bounced back out off the post.

Elsewhere, Vitolo scored twice as Sevilla held on to a thrilling 4-3 win away to Deportivo La Coruna.

Aritz Aduriz put Athletic Bilbao ahead in the 26th minute with a powerful header

Gareth Bale struck the post for Real Madrid with an ambitious long-range effort

Cristiano Ronaldo felt he should have been awarded a penalty after he went down inside the box

Real Madrid's players were disconsolate at the final whistle at San Mames

• Line-ups
• Match Stats
• Live Text

Line-ups

Ath Bilbao

Formation 4-2-3-1

1Iraizoz

10De Marcos18Gurpegi16Etxeita24Balenziaga

17Rico Moreno7Etxebarria Urkiaga

15Iraola19Muniain30Williams

20Aduriz

• 1Iraizoz
• 10De Marcos
• 18GurpegiBooked at 78mins
• 16EtxeitaBooked at 39mins
• 24Balenziaga
• 17Rico MorenoSubstituted forToqueroat 90+1'minutes
• 7Etxebarria Urkiaga
• 15Iraola
• 19MuniainSubstituted forSusaetaat 64'minutes
• 30WilliamsSubstituted forFernández Hierroat 75'minutes
• 20AdurizBooked at 30mins

Substitutes

• 2Toquero
• 3Aurtenetxe
• 11Gómez
• 14Susaeta
• 22Fernández Hierro
• 26Remiro Gargallo
• 29López Cabrera

Real Madrid

Formation 4-3-3

1Casillas

15Carvajal3Pepe2Varane12Marcelo

24Illarramendi8Kroos23Isco

11Bale9Benzema7Cristiano Ronaldo

• 1Casillas
• 15Carvajal
• 3Pepe
• 2Varane
• 12MarceloBooked at 86mins
• 24IllarramendiBooked at 41minsSubstituted forRodríguez Ruizat 71'minutes
• 8KroosBooked at 30minsSubstituted forBorgesat 76'minutes
• 23IscoBooked at 74mins
• 11Bale
• 9BenzemaSubstituted forHernándezat 80'minutes
• 7Cristiano Ronaldo

Substitutes

• 5da Silva Coentrão
• 6Khedira
• 13Navas
• 14Hernández
• 16Borges
• 18Nacho
• 20Rodríguez Ruiz

Referee:

Alberto Undiano Mallenco

Attendance:

52,600

Match Stats

Home TeamAth BilbaoAway TeamReal Madrid

Possession

Home35%

Away65%

Shots

Home6

Away13

Shots on Target

Home2

Away2

Corners

Home1

Away8

Fouls

Home17

Away11

Live Text

1. Post update

   Match ends, Athletic Club 1, Real Madrid 0.

2. 90'+3'

   Full Time

   Second Half ends, Athletic Club 1, Real Madrid 0.

3. 90'+2'

   Post update

   Attempt missed. Lucas Silva (Real Madrid) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right.

4. 90'+1'

   Substitution

   Substitution, Athletic Club. Gaizka Toquero replaces Mikel Rico because of an injury.

5. 89'

   Post update

   Foul by Jesé (Real Madrid).

6. 89'

   Post update

   Beñat (Athletic Club) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

7. 86'

   Booking

   Marcelo (Real Madrid) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

8. 86'

   Post update

   Foul by Marcelo (Real Madrid).

9. 86'

   Post update

   Mikel Rico (Athletic Club) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

10. 84'

    Post update

    Lucas Silva (Real Madrid).

11. 84'

    Post update

    Beñat (Athletic Club) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

12. 83'

    Post update

    Corner, Real Madrid. Conceded by Xabier Etxeita.

13. 83'

    Post update

    Attempt blocked. Jesé (Real Madrid) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.

14. 83'

    Post update

    Gareth Bale (Real Madrid) hits the left post with a left footed shot from more than 40 yards on the left wing. Assisted by Lucas Silva.

15. 80'

    Substitution

    Substitution, Real Madrid. Javier Hernández replaces Karim Benzema.

16. 80'

    Post update

    Pepe (Real Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

17. 80'

    Post update

    Foul by Aritz Aduriz (Athletic Club).

18. 80'

    Post update

    Jesé (Real Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

19. 80'

    Post update

    Foul by Mikel Rico (Athletic Club).

20. 78'

    Post update

    Gareth Bale (Real Madrid) wins a free kick on the left wing.

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