Athletic Bilbao vs. Real Madrid: Score and Reaction from 2017 La Liga Match

Karim Benzema and Casemiro scored to help Real Madrid beat Athletic Bilbao 2-1 at San Mames Stadium on Saturday and stretch their lead over bitter rivals Barcelona to five points at the top of La Liga.

As he often is, Cristiano Ronaldo was Real's inspiration, assisting both goals. Bilbao's lone goal also came from a familiar source, prolific target man Aritz Aduriz. 

Los Blancos were in front on 25 minutes when Ronaldo slid in Benzema to finish with aplomb. As OptaJose detailed, Ronaldo and Benzema have formed a prolific rapport on the pitch:

Real were comfortable until five minutes after the hour mark when a familiar foe punctured their defence. Aduriz pounced after Raul Garcia nodded down a deep cross from Inaki Williams.

WhoScored.com pointed out how Aduriz loves scoring at home:

What is more impressive is how the forward is getting better the longer he plays, according to Squawka Football:

Unfortunately for Aduriz and Bilbao, their joy lasted all of three minutes. Los Merengues regained the lead courtesy of an unlikely source, holding midfielder Casemiro.

The combative Brazilian reacted quickest when Ronaldo flicked on a Toni Kroos corner. By setting up another goal, Ronaldo matched a feat he last achieved nearly a full year ago, according to WhoScored.com:

Sensing the need for a change, Bilbao boss Ernesto Valverde introduced winger Markel Susaeta off the bench. He went onto the right flank, while the lively Williams moved into a central position.

However, the change did little to help the hosts pose more of a threat in the final third. Instead, Los Blancos stayed comfortable heading into injury time, enough for manager Zinedine Zidane to sub star man Ronaldo off for Isco.

The league-leaders took the sting out of their opponents by slowing the pace with some controlled passing in midfield. Kroos, in particular, was outstanding as Real saw out the game to seal a hugely significant result in the title race.

Post-Match Reaction

Zidane saluted his team's efforts away from home, but said Real's five-point lead isn't decisive in the title race, per Dan Long of Sky Sports: "It was important to stand up and be counted. We have 11 games left and we are the leaders, but it doesn't mean anything right now."

Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images

Zidane also explained his decision to substitute Ronaldo for Isco late on, describing how it was part of a tactical adjustment:

"

Karim [Benzema] had a great game, at the end we found more balance with a 4-4-2. With the substitution, it is nothing to worry about with Cristiano Ronaldo - he can be replaced just like anyone else.

He is happy because we won the game, that's all. With the change with Lucas [Vasquez], we looked for a 4-4-2 to defend together. It didn't mean taking a step back due to our rivalry, we were just looking for more balance.

"

Meanwhile, Real left-back Marcelo had special praise for match-winner Casemiro, according to ESPN FC's Dermot Corrigan: "Casemiro has improved in a spectacular way. He is a kid who works a lot. For me it is a privilege to play with him for club and country. He is one of the best midfielders in the world."

In his own way, Casemiro has become as important to Real's chances of success as attacking stars such as Ronaldo and Benzema. He's underpinning a squad that increasingly looks like champions under Zidane's astute guidance.