Spanish La Liga
Ath BilbaoAthletic Bilbao1Real MadridReal Madrid1

Athletic Bilbao 1-1 Real Madrid: Isco rescues point as Real's winning start is ended

Isco
Real Madrid had won their previous two La Liga games against Girona and Leganes 4-1

Substitute Isco rescued a point for Real Madrid as their winning start to the season came to an end against Athletic Bilbao.

Iker Muniain had put Eduardo Berizzo's Athletic ahead on 32 minutes after Real failed to clear their lines.

But, less than three minutes after coming on, Isco converted Gareth Bale's cross to earn Los Blancos a point.

Earlier, Barcelona came from behind to maintain their perfect start to the season, defeating Real Sociedad 2-1.

Real had won their first three games in La Liga, scoring four goals in each of their previous two games, and they started quickly at the San Mames Stadium, Luka Modric seeing an effort blocked in the opening minute.

But Athletic, playing just their second match of the season, settled into the game and caused the visitors problems, with both Markel Susaeta and Yuri Berchiche registering early attempts on former Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois' goal.

Despite not playing a competitive fixture in almost three weeks, following the postponement of their match against Rayo Vallecano before the international break, the hosts were the better side in the first half and limited Julen Lopetegui's side to long-range attempts.

Athletic's 21-year-old goalkeeper Unai Simon produced several good saves when called upon, denying both Marco Asensio and Modric - but he was powerless to prevent Isco's glancing header on 63 minutes.

A resurgent Real could have been ahead soon after, but the impressive Simon denied Sergio Ramos from close range.

Neither side was able to force a winner in the closing stages, however, as Real - who remain second in the table - lost early ground on champions Barcelona.

Next Lopetegui's side begin the defence of their Champions League crown at home to Roma on Wednesday (20:00 BST), before returning to league duties against Espanyol on Saturday (19:45 BST).

Line-ups

Ath Bilbao

Formation 4-2-3-1

  • 25SimónBooked at 90mins
  • 18De Marcos
  • 5ÁlvarezBooked at 45mins
  • 4Martínez
  • 12Berchiche IzetaBooked at 72mins
  • 16García CarrilloBooked at 60mins
  • 7EtxebarriaBooked at 78minsSubstituted forRicoat 81'minutes
  • 14Susaeta
  • 22García
  • 10MuniainSubstituted forCapaat 53'minutesBooked at 68mins
  • 9WilliamsSubstituted forSan Joséat 76'minutes

Substitutes

  • 6San José
  • 17Rico
  • 20Aduriz
  • 21Capa
  • 24Balenziaga
  • 26Oleaga
  • 31Nolaskoain

Real Madrid

Formation 4-3-3

  • 25Courtois
  • 2CarvajalBooked at 85mins
  • 5Varane
  • 4Ramos
  • 12Marcelo
  • 10ModricSubstituted forIscoat 61'minutes
  • 8Kroos
  • 24CeballosSubstituted forCasemiroat 45'minutes
  • 11BaleSubstituted forVázquezat 75'minutesBooked at 87mins
  • 9Benzema
  • 20Asensio

Substitutes

  • 1Navas
  • 6Nacho
  • 7Mariano
  • 14Casemiro
  • 17Vázquez
  • 19Odriozola
  • 22Isco
Referee:
José Luis González González
Attendance:
46,551

Match Stats

Home TeamAth BilbaoAway TeamReal Madrid
Possession
Home40%
Away60%
Shots
Home12
Away16
Shots on Target
Home4
Away6
Corners
Home1
Away2
Fouls
Home19
Away7

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, Athletic Club 1, Real Madrid 1.

  2. Full Time

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

  3. Post update

    Corner, Athletic Club. Conceded by Raphael Varane.

  4. Post update

    Foul by Daniel Carvajal (Real Madrid).

  5. Post update

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

  6. Post update

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

  7. Post update

    Foul by Óscar De Marcos (Athletic Club).

  8. Post update

    Attempt saved. Mikel Rico (Athletic Club) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Ander Capa.

  9. Booking

    Unai Simón (Athletic Club) is shown the yellow card.

  10. Post update

    Offside, Real Madrid. Sergio Ramos tries a through ball, but Isco is caught offside.

  11. Post update

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

  12. Post update

    Foul by Raúl García (Athletic Club).

  13. Booking

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

  14. Post update

    Foul by Lucas Vázquez (Real Madrid).

  15. Post update

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

  16. Post update

    Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  17. Post update

    Foul by Ander Capa (Athletic Club).

  18. Post update

    Offside, Athletic Club. Íñigo Martínez tries a through ball, but Ander Capa is caught offside.

  19. Post update

    Attempt missed. Íñigo Martínez (Athletic Club) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right.

  20. Booking

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

As It Stood

TeamPWDLFAGDPts
1Barcelona44001431112
2Real Madrid4310113810
3Celta Vigo32105237
4Ath Bilbao31205415
5Atl Madrid412134-15
6Real Betis412113-25
7Levante31116424
8Sevilla31114224
9Espanyol31114314
10Getafe31112204
11Real Sociedad411267-14
12Eibar411246-24
13Alavés311124-24
14Girona311124-24
15Huesca4112612-64
16Valencia403135-23
17Rayo Vallecano310225-33
18Real Valladolid302101-12
19Villarreal301213-21
20Leganés301248-41
View full Spanish La Liga table