Dani Carvajal's farewell set the tone as Real Madrid led Athletic Club 2-1 at half-time at the Santiago Bernabéu. Carvajal created an early opener and Jude Bellingham thumped a first-time volley on 41 minutes. Gorka Guruzeta replied in first-half stoppage time to keep Athletic's slim Europa Conference League hopes alive. The match closed the 2025-26 La Liga season; Real had already secured second with 83 points.

Real Madrid started at pace and opened the scoring early when club captain Dani Carvajal set up Gonzalo García for a neat, composed finish. Sports Yahoo described the action as Carvajal’s final appearance for the club before he leaves this summer, adding weight to the moment at the Bernabéu.

The second goal came on 41 minutes and it was a strike that carried the feel of the big occasion. Thiago Pitarch threaded a pass into space for Jude Bellingham, who met the ball first time with a crashing volley that beat Athletic goalkeeper Álex Padilla. That finish sent the home crowd into life and put Real Madrid two goals clear heading into the break.

Athletic responded just before the interval. In first-half stoppage time Gorka Guruzeta produced a spectacular volley to halve the deficit, leaving the scoreline 2-1 at half-time. The timing and technique of the strike meant Athletic went into the dressing room with belief, and it was the most notable moment of a frenetic first 45 minutes at the Bernabéu.

Lineups confirmed by Real Madrid’s official match sheet showed Thibaut Courtois in goal with Dani Carvajal, David Alaba and Álex Carreras across the back.

Mastheads

Kylian Mbappé led the attack alongside Gonzalo and Mastantuono, while the presence of Jude Bellingham in midfield gave the hosts control in the final third.

Athletic named Álex Padilla in goal and Guruzeta led their front line. Pre-match coverage noted absences and fitness questions across both squads; various lists of injuries circulated in the build-up, but those issues didn't alter the starting XI announcements posted by Real Madrid ahead of kick-off. The team sheets suggested both managers wanted to end the season on a positive note and offered a fairly full-strength look despite the campaign being over for some positions in the table.

Where the result left the league positions

The fixture closed the 2025-26 La Liga season for both clubs. Real Madrid had already secured second place on 83 points before kick-off and will finish the campaign in that position regardless of the final score. That certainty tempered the stakes for Carlo Ancelotti’s side, turning the match more into a chance to honour departing players and to give minutes to key men in front of the Bernabéu crowd.

Athletic entered the match with an outside chance of reaching seventh and qualifying for the Europa Conference League. To claim that slot they needed a win at the Bernabéu and favourable results elsewhere. The 2-1 half-time scoreline kept that mathematical possibility alive, but it left Athletic needing more from the second half and some help from other fixtures to realise their European hopes.

For supporters and club staff the afternoon functioned as the season curtain at the stadium. For players it was a final chance to make an impression before the summer break and, in Carvajal’s case, an opportunity to create a lasting image in a long association with the club. The first-half sequence, with an early assist from the captain and a thunderous Bellingham volley, provided that image for many in the crowd.

Matchday 38 at the Bernabéu therefore balanced sporting closure with personal farewells and career moments. The immediate outcome across the weekend was the finalised La Liga table, with Real Madrid locked in as runners-up and Athletic left to wait on results elsewhere to confirm whether their season would extend into continental competition.

Related Articles

Real Madrid are confirmed as La Liga runners-up on 83 points.

This article was created with AI assistance.