Real Madrid vs. Athletic Bilbao: Score, Grades and Reaction from La Liga Game

Real Madrid 5-0 Athletic Bilbao

Cristiano Ronaldo hit a record-equalling 22nd La Liga hat-trick as Real Madrid claimed a comfortable victory over Athletic Bilbao at the Bernebeu on Sunday night.

It was another night of phenomenal goalscoring by the Portugal international, who has now struck 13 times in his last six league matches.

Karim Benzema was also on the scoresheet with a double as Real Madrid claimed a fourth successive La Liga win.

The Portugal international opened the scoring after less than two minutes, and despite the form of Athletic goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz, the result was never in doubt.

Benzema headed home a second for Real four minutes before the interval, while Ronaldo added his second 10 minutes into the second period.

"

Ancelotti: "This year, I don't think there's much doubt [Ronaldo to win Ballon D’Or]. I believe you can put on a bet."

— Dermot Corrigan (@dermotmcorrigan) October 5, 2014"

The France international grabbed his second in the 69th minute before Ronaldo wrapped up his treble in the 88th minute, although there was the suggestion that his elbow helped deflect a Pepe effort beyond Iraizoz.

This was Ronaldo's seventh successive game with a score. Dani Carvajal was blocked on the right corner of the area after a good run, but Gareth Bale picked on the loose ball to swing it to the far post where Ronaldo was waiting to head home.

Four minutes later, Ronaldo was on the move again and cut inside Oscar de Marcos before forcing a tremendous save from Iraizoz at the near post.

The danger to Athletic was not just coming down the left, and Bale almost set up Karim Benzema for a clever backheel, which just went wide.

Carvajal and Benat Etxebarria collided in mid-air, with the Athletic midfielder suffering a gash to his head while the Madrid also required treatment.

Some smart team work on the edge of the Athletic area eventually saw Bale play the ball low across the six-yard box, but Benzema could not get a touch to make it 2-0.

The visitors were not without threat, though, and a well-struck Iker Muniain volley from a corner forced Iker Casillas into a tip-over.

In the 28th minute, Sergio Ramos was cautioned for a challenge on Guillermo.

The Athletic offside trap was working effectively at the Bernabeu, and Ronaldo became the latest to be caught out when he rose for a free-kick.

James Rodriguez was let down by a poor first touch in the 38th minute as he collected a ball from Ronaldo—made all the worse by the fact he wasn't offside.

Quick thinking by Benzema on the edge of the area set up Ronaldo, but Iraizoz blocked the effort. However, the subsequent corner saw Real move further ahead when Benzema headed home in the 41st minute.

Carlo Ancelotti switched Ramos for Raphael Varane for the second period, while Benat, who was hurt in the collision with Carvajal in the opening period, came off for Athletic.

Ronaldo set up Bale in the 50th minute, but the former Tottenham man was put off by the presence of Aymeric Laporte and his shot was off target.

Bale was then involved in the third goal of the night when he played a great one-two with Benzema before scampering into the area and laying the ball off to Ronaldo. The outcome was inevitable and the home side were three up.

Benzema and James then set up an opportunity for the Welshman with some great one-touch play, but the curling effort drifted wide.

Despite the scoreline, Athletic were not unbowed and Casillas produced another fine save from Ibai Gomez in the 57th minute.

Bale had the ball in the net in the 67th minute but was adjudged to have been offside, but the home side soon had their fourth goal.

The only surprising issue about the goal was the generosity of Ronaldo. After being played in by a perfect pass from Luka Modric, the Bernabeu star crossed for Benzema to slot home instead of rifling home a personal hat-trick.

Ancelotti sent on Isco for Benzema, and the home crowd rose to salute the France international:

After opening the scoring within the opening two minutes, Ronaldo completed his hat-trick with less than two minutes remaining when he turned home a Pepe strike, although it did appear to strike his elbow. 

Selected player ratings

Cristiano Ronaldo: A+

His early goal set up Real Madrid for the win, and despite a relatively quiet first period, Ronaldo still remained the focal point of the comfortable victory. Ronaldo dominated the game in the second half.

Gareth Bale: A

Bale was clearly not fazed by recent criticism directed towards him, as the Wales international was always looking for the chance to create something.

James Rodriguez: A-

Rodriguez showed some intelligent probing, but was still lacking the experience to counter the Athletic offside trap which cut off opportunities in the first half.

What's ahead

Both clubs will take a break from action over the next two weeks for international matches. Madrid will return to La Liga with the trip to Levante on Oct. 18. Athletic play host to Celta Vigo on the same day.

Post-match reaction