La Liga: Karim Benzema on target in Real Madrid farewell

• Real Madrid hosted Athletic Bilbao at the Santiago Bernabeu on the final day of La Liga
• Karim Benzema, Marco Asensio and Eden Hazard all played their last matches as Real Madrid players
• Benzema was on target to score his last goal for the Los Blancos to earn Madrid a 1-1 draw

Karim Benzema concluded his time at Real Madrid with a goal in a 1-1 draw against Athletic Bilbao, securing second place for Los Blancos on the final day of the La Liga season. Benzema, a veteran forward who recently announced his departure and is expected to move to Saudi Arabia, converted a penalty to help Madrid salvage a point at the Santiago Bernabeu. Athletic Bilbao had an early opportunity to take the lead with a penalty, but Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois denied Mikel Vesga’s shot. However, Oihan Sancet managed to score for Athletic after halftime. Benzema’s goal prevented Athletic from securing a place in the Europa Conference League, as Carlo Ancelotti’s side held on to second place

Karim Benzema bid farewell to Real Madrid with a goal in their 1-1 draw against Athletic Bilbao, securing the second-place finish for Los Blancos on the final day of the La Liga season. The veteran forward, who recently announced his departure and is expected to join a team in Saudi Arabia, converted a penalty kick to help Madrid salvage a crucial point at the Santiago Bernabeu.

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The match started with a potential early breakthrough for Athletic Bilbao when Thibaut Courtois, the Madrid goalkeeper, made an impressive save to deny Mikel Vesga’s penalty. However, after the halftime break, Athletic Bilbao managed to take the lead through Oihan Sancet’s goal. The visitors were looking to secure a spot in the Europa Conference League with a win.

Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema celebrates after scoring against Athletic Bilbao in a 1-1 draw in a La Liga clash on Sunday, June 4 2023. | PHOTO: Sky Sports |

But Benzema had other plans. The experienced striker stepped up and equalized for Real Madrid from the penalty spot. It was a composed finish that showcased his quality as a forward. Shortly after his goal, Benzema was substituted to a standing ovation from the fans, recognizing his immense contribution to the club over the years.

The draw against Athletic Bilbao was enough for Real Madrid to cling to second place in the league standings. Their position was secured following Atletico Madrid’s 2-2 draw with Villarreal in another match. Although Real Madrid couldn’t find a winning goal without their talismanic forward, the single point preserved their second-place finish and ensured they avoided their worst league position since the 2018-2019 season.

Karim Benzema’s departure marks the end of a remarkable era at Real Madrid. Throughout his time at the club, he played a pivotal role in their success, winning five Champions League titles, four La Liga titles, and three Copa del Rey trophies. His goal against Athletic Bilbao took his overall goal tally for the club to an impressive 354, second only to Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored 450 goals in the famous white shirt.

The match at the Santiago Bernabeu featured two penalty incidents, one in favour of each team. Courtois, the Madrid goalkeeper, showcased his skills by saving Vesga’s tame penalty kick, further solidifying his reputation as a penalty-saving expert. He has now saved five out of the last ten penalties he has faced in all competitions, an impressive statistic considering he had only saved one of the previous twelve.

Looking ahead, Real Madrid will now focus on finding a suitable replacement for Benzema as they aim to reclaim the league title in the upcoming season. His departure leaves a significant void in the team’s attacking line. On the other hand, Athletic Bilbao will regroup and set their sights on European qualification after a disappointing eighth-place finish in the league.

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In conclusion, Karim Benzema’s farewell match for Real Madrid was marked by his goal, securing a draw against Athletic Bilbao. The result ensured a second-place finish for Los Blancos and celebrated Benzema’s remarkable contributions to the club’s success. As Real Madrid prepares for the next season, they will undoubtedly miss the veteran striker, but they will also be eager to find a suitable replacement and continue their pursuit of silverware.

The draw against Athletic Bilbao was enough for Real Madrid to cling to second place in the league standings. Their position was secured following Atletico Madrid’s 2-2 draw with Villarreal. Although Madrid couldn’t find a winning goal without Benzema, they still maintained their second-place finish.

Benzema’s departure marks the end of an era at Real Madrid, where he won numerous titles, including five Champions Leagues, four La Liga titles, and three Copa del Rey trophies. Despite some controversy surrounding the penalty decision, Benzema’s composed finish showcased his quality, bringing his total goal tally for the club to 354, second only to Cristiano Ronaldo. Madrid’s point, combined with Villarreal’s late equalizer against Atletico Madrid, ensured they finished as runners-up, avoiding their worst league finish since the 2018-19 season and maintaining superiority over their city rivals.

The match featured two penalty incidents, with Benzema scoring one and Courtois saving the other. Courtois has been in excellent form, saving five of the last 10 penalties he has faced. Real Madrid will now focus on finding a replacement for Benzema as they aim to reclaim the league title next season, while Athletic Bilbao will seek European qualification after a disappointing eighth-place finish.