Spain: Striker Karim Benzema scored a penalty to help Real Madrid equalize 1-1 against Bilbao in the final round of La Liga.
In the 71st minute, the referee called a foul on Yuri Berchiche for jumping to contest a ball with Eder Militao inside the Bilbao penalty area, awarding Real Madrid a penalty. Benzema converted the penalty into the center of the goal, equalizing for Real.
The 35-year-old French striker scored his 354th goal for Real Madrid. He left the club as the club's second-highest goalscorer, ahead of Raul Gonzalez's 323 goals and only behind Cristiano Ronaldo's 450. Shortly before the match on June 4th, Real Madrid confirmed the termination of Benzema's contract a year early. The 2022 Ballon d'Or winner is reportedly preparing to move to Saudi Arabia to play.
Benzema ended his Real Madrid career in the draw against Bilbao on June 4th. Photo: Reuters
Benzema left the field immediately after scoring the equalizer. He received applause from the Bernabeu crowd. After the match, the Real Madrid players cheered for Benzema.
The match against Bilbao also marked Marco Asensio's farewell game for Real Madrid, as he came on in the 58th minute replacing Dani Ceballos. The Bernabeu crowd gave the Spanish striker a round of applause. Asensio could join PSG in the coming days.
Before Benzema's equalizer, Bilbao started better. They could have opened the scoring in the 10th minute, after Toni Kroos handled the ball in the Real Madrid penalty area. But goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois saved Vesga's penalty.
Key events of the Real Madrid 1-1 Bilbao match.
Undeterred by their missed opportunities, Bilbao continued to threaten Real's goal. The visitors had 11 shots, almost double the six taken by the runners-up. In the 49th minute, Bilbao found the net. Sancet's first shot deflected off Courtois, and he then scored the opening goal with a rebound.
But Benzema's equalizer shattered Bilbao's hopes. The visitors finished La Liga with 51 points and eighth place. With a 2-1 victory over Girona in the other match played at the same time, Osasuna secured seventh place with 53 points, earning a spot in the Conference League.
Real Madrid players celebrate Benzema after the match on June 4th. Photo: AP
Real finished with 78 points in second place, just one point ahead of Atletico. Barca led with 88 points. Next season, Barca, Real, Atletico, Sociedad, and Sevilla will represent La Liga in the Champions League, while Villarreal and Betis will participate in the Europa League. The three teams relegated are Valladolid, Espanyol, and Elche.
Thanh Quy
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