Real Madrid thrash Athletic Bilbao and send Carvajal off in style
Real Madrid closed out matchday 38 of the 2025/2026 LaLiga season with a 4-2 win over Athletic Bilbao at the Santiago Bernabéu. More than the three points, the afternoon was marked by an emotional farewell to Dani Carvajal and by Álvaro Arbeloa’s departure from the Madrid bench.
The goals opened things up in the first half
On 12 minutes Carvajal produced an assist of real quality for Gonzalo García. The full-back played the ball from midfield, the forward slipped through the middle of the defence, controlled on the edge of the box and finished with no chance for the Basque goalkeeper. From then on the hosts ran the game.
The lead grew on 41 minutes when Jude Bellingham doubled it after a pinpoint pass from Thiago Pitarch. The Englishman made the perfect diagonal run, took it on his chest and struck left-footed into the corner, unstoppable.
Before the break, though, Bilbao pulled one back. Iñaki Williams drove down the right, found space and crossed for Gorka Guruzeta, who hit it first time into the corner to make it 2-1.
Mbappé extends it and gestures towards Arbeloa
Madrid’s grip held firm after the break. On 51 minutes Kylian Mbappé collected the ball outside the area, set himself and drilled it across goal, beyond the keeper. After finding the net the Frenchman went over to the bench and exchanged a warm greeting with Arbeloa, who is leaving his post after the match.
The most emotional moment, however, was saved for the 84th minute. As he was replaced by Manuel Serrano, Carvajal was given permission by the referee to walk through a guard of honour formed by his team-mates on the pitch – a symbolic tribute to the captain closing his chapter at the club. A final embrace with Arbeloa completed the farewell.
Brahim Díaz and Izeta round off the scoring
On 90 minutes Brahim Díaz made it 4-1. Mbappé took a long ball, controlled it and served the young Spaniard, who broke into the area alone and finished with class. Two minutes later Iñaki Williams crossed from the right for Izeta, who climbed above his marker and headed in to set the final score at 4-2.
The win closes a season below expectations for Real Madrid, who never managed to fight consistently for the major titles. The club now turns its attention to the arrival of José Mourinho, announced as coach from the second half of the year – a change that promises to redraw the Madrid project after a transitional cycle.
