Cristiano Ronaldo scored in the second minute to put Real Madrid up early, then added another goal in the second half before Gonzalo Higuain added to Athletic Bilbao's pain in a 3-0 Madrid win at Estadio San Mames.
Athletic Bilbao vs. Real Madrid: Final score 0-3, Ronaldo brace paces Merengues
Cristiano Ronaldo was sensational in Bilbao, where Madrid came away 3-0 winners.
Alex Livesey
Ronaldo’s first goal was a thing of beauty and stunned the Athletic crowd, which was still streaming into the stadium. First he drew the foul on Real’s first move of the match, then he hit a blistering free kick from 20 yards out, leaving Gorka Iraizoz no chance as the visitors went in front.
The rest of the first half was a struggle for both teams, who were sloppy with their passing. Athletic looked like they would have a chance to get even not long after Ronaldo scored, but Gomez Ibai was ruled offside. Not long after, Ronaldo gave it another go from distance, but it wasn’t to be, which was fine for Madrid. They went into the half a goal ahead.
Ronaldo made it two in the 69th minute, again on a free kick. This time he was on the end of a kick, heading home Xabi Alonso's ball to double the Real advantage. Minutes later, he fed Higuain to clinch a good away win for the visitors.
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