Real Madrid player ratings vs Athletic Club: Karim Benzema signs ...

4 Jun 2023

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Karim Benzema concluded his Real Madrid career in style, scoring the equaliser in a home draw against Athletic Club.

Real Madrid vs Athletic Club - Figure 1
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The legendary striker converted from the spot to salvage an otherwise underwhelming Madrid performance, helping Los Blancos snatch a 1-1 draw against a lively Athletic Club side.

The visitors could've taken the lead inside 10 minutes when they were awarded a penalty for a Toni Kroos handball, but Thibaut Courtois made a full stretch to keep things level early on. The home side threatened sparingly for the remainder of the first half, although Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo both came close.

Oihan Sancet changed things, though, lifting the ball over Courtois after a scrappy sequence to give Athletic Club a 1-0 lead just after the break. But Benzema grabbed his obligatory goal to level things, smashing home from the spot after a dubious decision gave Madrid a penalty. He was substituted shortly after to the adulation of 61,000 Madridistas.

It was a season to forget for Madrid, who will finish at least 10 points behind league winners Barcelona, but they did at least finish ahead of arch-rivals Atletico, who drew 2-2 with Villarreal in their final game.

Still, Sunday was about celebrating a club legend, one that will make a rumoured move to Saudi Arabia having bagged 354 goals and won every possible trophy in the Spanish capital. Madrid won't be the same without him.

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