Real Madrid’s final match before facing Manchester City in the Champions League ended in victory over Athletic Bilbao thanks to two fine goals by Rodrygo.
The Brazil forward opened the scoring with a lovely finish from 20 yards.
And he made sure of the points with a composed finish after a mazy run.
Real Madrid, who welcomed back England midfielder Jude Bellingham from suspension, are eight points clear of Barcelona at the top of La Liga with eight games remaining.
The hosts could have won by more but Federico Valverde was denied by keeper Julen Agirrezabala and Brahim Diaz hit the post after Aurelien Tchouameni headed another chance narrowly wide.
Athletic Bilbao, who face Mallorca in the final of the Copa del Rey in Seville on Saturday (21:00 BST), were denied an equaliser at 1-0 when Inaki Williams’ attempt was kept out by Andriy Lunin.
They stay fourth in the table, one point ahead of fifth-placed Atletico Madrid.
On a positive night for Real, Brazil defender Eder Militao made his first appearance since 12 August after serious injury when he came on as a substitute in the 92nd minute.
They host Manchester City in the quarter-final first leg of the Champions League on 9 April (20:00).
The record 14-time European champions are in Manchester for the return leg on 17 April (20:00).
Line-ups
Real Madrid
Formation 4-2-2-2
- 13Lunin
- 2CarvajalSubstituted forMilitãoat 90+2′minutes
- 22Rüdiger
- 6NachoBooked at 71mins
- 23Mendy
- 18TchouaméniBooked at 57mins
- 8KroosSubstituted forCamavingaat 81′minutes
- 15ValverdeSubstituted forVázquezat 81′minutes
- 5Bellingham
- 21DíazSubstituted forJoseluat 72′minutes
- 11RodrygoSubstituted forModricat 81′minutes
Substitutes
- 3Militão
- 10Modric
- 12Camavinga
- 14Joselu
- 17Vázquez
- 19Ceballos
- 20García
- 24Güler
- 25Arrizabalaga Revuelta
- 30González Pérez
Ath Bilbao
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 13Agirrezabala
- 18De MarcosSubstituted forBerchicheat 57′minutes
- 5ÁlvarezSubstituted forVivianat 25′minutes
- 4Paredes
- 15Lekue
- 6Vesga
- 24PradosSubstituted forRuíz de Galarretaat 57′minutesBooked at 86mins
- 9Williams
- 8SancetSubstituted forMuniainat 76′minutes
- 7Berenguer
- 12GuruzetaSubstituted forAres Djalóat 57′minutes
Substitutes
- 1Simón
- 3Vivian
- 10Muniain
- 14García Carrillo
- 16Ruíz de Galarreta
- 17Berchiche
- 19García de Albéniz
- 20Villalibre
- 21Herrera
- 22García
- 23Ares Djaló
- 30Gómez
- Referee:
- Javier Alberola Rojas
- Attendance:
- 72,991
Live Text
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Match ends, Real Madrid 2, Athletic Club 0.
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Second Half ends, Real Madrid 2, Athletic Club 0.
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Lucas Vázquez (Real Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Alex Berenguer (Athletic Club).
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Substitution, Real Madrid. Éder Militão replaces Dani Carvajal.
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Attempt saved. Iñaki Williams (Athletic Club) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Yuri Berchiche.
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Íñigo Ruíz de Galarreta (Athletic Club) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by Íñigo Ruíz de Galarreta (Athletic Club).
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Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Alex Berenguer (Athletic Club).
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Substitution, Real Madrid. Luka Modric replaces Rodrygo.
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Substitution, Real Madrid. Eduardo Camavinga replaces Toni Kroos.
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Substitution, Real Madrid. Lucas Vázquez replaces Federico Valverde because of an injury.
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Delay over. They are ready to continue.
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Delay in match because of an injury Federico Valverde (Real Madrid).
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Andriy Lunin (Real Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Dani Vivian (Athletic Club).
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Corner, Athletic Club. Conceded by Aurélien Tchouaméni.
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Attempt blocked. Iñaki Williams (Athletic Club) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Iker Muniain.
