Real Madrid travelled to San Mames on Sunday knowing that three points against Athletic Bilbao would move them into second spot in the La Liga table.
Bilbao had the better of the chances in an end-to-end first period, but neither side could make the breakthrough.
Madrid took the lead after 65 minutes through Jese Rodriguez, but Bilbao levelled minutes later through Ibai Gomez.
Cristiano Ronaldo was then given his marching orders for clashing with Carlos Gurpegi in an off-the-ball incident as the points were shared in a pulsating clash.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Our final live La Liga commentary of the evening comes from San Mames as Athletic Bilbao welcome Real Madrid. The home side exited the Copa del Rey to Atletico Madrid during the week, but an impressive league campaign has left them in fourth position in the table, while they have won nine of their 11 games in this stadium this season.
Madrid, meanwhile, have won their last eight matches in all competitions without conceding a single goal. In the league, they are currently four points off the top following victory for Atletico Madrid this weekend. Madrid’s away form has been strong thus far with eight wins and just one loss from 11 matches.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Madrid have won each of the last five matches, scoring 18 times in the process and conceding just three. That is the task facing Bilbao this evening. The corresponding match last season ended in a 3-0 away win, while Madrid were 3-1 winners in the Bernabeu earlier this season.
TEAMS:
BILBAO: Iraizoz; De Marcos, Gurpegi, Laporte, Balenziaga; Iturraspe, Rico; Susaeta, Herrera, Muniain; Aduriz
MADRID: Lopez; Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; Alonso, Modric; Di Maria, Jese, Ronaldo; Benzema
So there we have it. No Ibai Gomez or Benat in the Bilbao XI, but Aritz Aduriz leads the line with support from Ander Herrera. Mikel Rico also starts in central midfield. Madrid, meanwhile, are without the injured Gareth Bale. That means a start for Jese Rodriguez, while long-term absentee Raphael Varane could make his return from the bench. Right, the home side get the action underway on this mild evening.
It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium this evening. That is almost tested as Ronaldo finds some space on the edge of the box before striking towards goal, but it just moves wide of the post. I have a feeling that we could be in for a real treat at San Mames. Both sides are in strong form.
Another strike comes from Los Blancos as Di Maria puts his foot through a pass from Benzema, but his effort is just wide of the post. Bilbao have simply been unable to start in the opening four minutes with the capital outfit dominating possession of the ball. Moments later, Gurpegi is forced to make a last-ditch clearance following a Carvajal delivery.
Better from Bilbao in the last few moments as Herrera finds some space inside the Madrid box, but Ramos is across to clear. As has been the case throughout Spain this weekend, those inside San Mames paid their tribute to former Spain boss Luis Aragones before kickoff...
The crowd continue to make their voices known as Rico wins a corner from Alonso down the right. The resulting set piece is delivered towards the far post, but Marcelo manages to clear in the second phase, before a low pass from Aduriz rolls into the arms of Lopez. End-to-end football with eight minutes on the clock.
Plenty happening in the middle of the park at the moment as Jese and Balenziaga clash, but the referee is on hand to calm proceedings. Madrid started like a house on fire, but Bilbao have since pulled themselves into the match. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - will be decisive.
Even the referee cannot remain on his feet as the match continues to flow from end-to-end. Carvajal comes close to finding Benzema in the Bilbao box with a low cross, but Laporte is on hand to clear, before the home side break down the other end with Aduriz. Hardly time to take a breath at the moment with both teams flying into challenges in the middle of the park.
A point for Real Madrid would not be enough to take them into second position in the table due to their inferior goal difference to Barcelona. Bilbao continue to worry Los Blancos by committing numbers on the counter, but that is creating space for Madrid to exploit. That said, neither side has been able to create a clear opportunity in the opening 15 minutes.
Half-chance for Madrid as Jese drives down the right before drilling a low cross into the box, but Benzema cannot make contact as Laporte clears the danger. Both sides have pace and movement on the counter there is no question about that.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Bilbao to take the lead as Aduriz dances into the Madrid box, but somehow he curls his effort wide of the post from close range. That is easily the best opportunity of the opening 20 minutes. You just cannot afford to miss those against the likes of Los Blancos.
CHANCE! Oh my word! Another wonderful chance for the home side as Muniain collects a low cross from De Marcos, but the Spaniard loses control at the vital moment. Deafening noise inside the stadium with 22 minutes on the clock...
Madrid looked comfortable in the opening 10 minutes this evening, but Bilbao have dominated since then. There is no question that the home side should be ahead, but Madrid continue to keep their incredible defensive run in tact. We have seen little from Ronaldo in the opening 24 minutes as Madrid's frustration continues.
The referee continues to take centre stage due to a number of late challenges, but the Spaniard has kept a lid on proceedings thus far. The opening 26 minutes have just flown past, with the score still 0-0. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - will be decisive. It is that type of match.
Untidy period of the match in the last few moments with both sides guilty of losing possession in the final third. Madrid have had plenty of chances to counter, but too often the final pass has been slack. Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining at San Mames. Bilbao have thus far had the better chances on their own patch.
Half-chance for the away side as Ronaldo meets a high ball on the volley, but his effort is high of the crossbar. On another day, that might have flown into the top corner. Just a reminder that three points for Los Blancos would move them above Barcelona and into second spot - one point behind leaders Atletico.
Alonso receives the first card of the match for a late challenge on Herrera. It had been coming there is no question about that. There is a real underlying ill-feeling in this match. Bilbao continue to threaten with high balls into the box, but Pepe and Ramos have been sensational in the air.
Good spell for Madrid in the last couple of moments with Modric and Alonso more involved in the final third, but still the away side are finding it difficult to create a clear chance. The same can be said for Bilbao, who cannot find that elusive pass in the final third. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining.
The free-kick count continues to rise as Modric is penalised for a foul on Muniain some 40 yards from goal. The resulting set piece is delivered by Susaeta, but Ronaldo rises to head clear. The pressure continues down the right, but eventually Los Blancos manage to stem the flow of pressure.
More frustration in the Madrid camp as Ronaldo makes his feelings known to teammate Ramos. The away side started on the front foot, but have struggled to force the issue for the last 30 minutes or so. Bilbao will feel that their first-half performance is worth a goal, but they too are struggling in the final third.
The challenges continue to arrive in the middle of the park, but Alonso just needs to be a little bit careful having already picked up a card. The atmosphere has just dropped in the last few moments, with both sides struggling in the final third. Little over three minutes of the first period remaining at San Mames.
The untidy period of the match continues with a number of late challenges and resulting free kicks slowing the tempo of the match. Aduriz hits the deck following a high challenge with Carvajal, but returns to his feet moments later. It appears that the two sides will enter the break on level terms at San Mames.
HALF TIME: Bilbao 0-0 Madrid
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with the two sides level at 0-0. Madrid had the best of the opening 10 minutes, but Bilbao dominated from that point on and perhaps should be ahead at the interval. It is so delicately poised ahead of the second period.
STATISTICS: Bilbao have shaded the possession with 55%, while they have had four attempts to Madrid's three. However, neither side has registered a single attempt on target. It has been a feisty half in terms of challenges, but the referee has issued just the one yellow card - to Xabi Alonso.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have a number of attacking options on their bench in the shape of Benat, Kike Sola and Ibai Gomez. Meanwhile, Los Blancos have the likes of Alvaro Morata, Isco and Fabio Coentrao in reserve. There are certainly goals in that list of players.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. As it stands, Madrid would remain in third spot in the table, level on points with Barca and three behind leaders Atletico. Right, the away side get the second period underway. Will it be more frustration for Ronaldo?
No changes for either side at the interval, which is not much of a surprise at this stage of proceedings. However, I suspect both managers will look to their bench if the score remains level for the next 20 minutes or so. Benzema breaks down the left for Madrid, but Gurpegi is across to make a fine challenge at the vital moment.
Half-chance for Madrid as Modric finds some space outside the box before curling one towards the top corner, but Iraizoz is on hand to push it wide of the post. Pepe meets the resulting corner, but his effort is over the crossbar. Bright start to the second period from Los Blancos, but Bilbao are still in the dressing room at the moment.
Madrid have the ball in the back of the net as Ronaldo scores from close range, but the offside flag had been raised. Replays have shown that it was the correct decision. Los Blancos have certainly raised the tempo in the second half with Bilbao struggling to keep hold of the ball. It is so important that the home side do not concede at this stage of proceedings.
Half-chance for Ronaldo from a free kick as Herrera fells the Portuguese outside the box. However, his effort is straight into the wall. Moments later, Benzema finds some space inside the box, but his effort is saved by Iraizoz. Much better from Los Blancos with 55 minutes on the clock.
Bilbao just cannot get out their own half at the moment as the visitors continue to dominate possession of the ball. However, the scores remain level with 57 minutes on the clock. As mentioned, it was indeed the correct decision to chalk off that Ronaldo strike for offside...
You just get the feeling that one goal would be enough to claim all the points this evening. Barcelona have already lost in this stadium in the league this season. Madrid continue to threaten as they pass and probe outside the Bilbao box, but the latest attack comes to an end when Susaeta is felled by Jese.
Bilbao make their first change of the match as Iraola enters the field in place of De Marcos. Still no movement on the Madrid bench, but they have a number of options. End-to-end football in the last few moments with little under 30 minutes remaining. It has been a fascinating La Liga encounter.
Half-chance for Di Maria as the Argentine meets a bouncing ball on the edge of the box, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. Another controversial moment follows as Ramos is penalised for a foul on Herrera, which brings a furious reaction from the home players. However, replays have shown that there was little contact. Still goalless at San Mames.
Half-chance for the home side as Susaeta finds Muniain on the edge of the box, but his effort just curls high of the crossbar. Little under 25 minutes of this clash remaining and still the score remains goalless. Atletico Madrid and Barcelona will be hoping that Bilbao can keep out Los Blancos in the final stages.
GOAL! Bilbao 0-1 Madrid (Jese)
Madrid take the lead after 65 minutes as Jese converts from close range following a low cross from Ronaldo. That could be decisive in the title race.
As it stands, Jese's fifth goal of the season has moved Madrid into second spot in the table. However, Bilbao will surely have chances in the latter chances. The match is incredibly stretched at the moment with the home side pushing players forward in search of an equaliser.
Good response from Bilbao with the home side in control of the possession, but they are finding it difficult to break through this stern Madrid defence, which is closing in on yet another clean sheet. Still no movement on the Madrid bench, but that is not much of a surprise. Bilbao, meanwhile, have two changes remaining.
Bilbao make their second change as Ibai Gomez, who was a surprise non-starter, enters the field in place of Muniain, who has struggled this evening. The home supporters want a red card for Alonso moments later, but the referee is not interested in booking the Spanish international for a second time.
GOAL! Bilbao 1-1 Madrid (Gomez)
Wow! What a substitution! Gomez has barely been on the field for 60 seconds, but he has levelled with a stunning effort into the bottom corner. Game on at San Mames!
It has all exploded here with the referee forced to intervene following a clash between both sets of players. Ronaldo and Gurpegi both clashed inside the Bilbao box.
RED CARD! Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
Ronaldo is sent from the field after seemingly putting his hand into the face of Gurpegi. It is incredibly harsh on the Portuguese, who barely touched the Bilbao defender.
Well, the second period was quite calm until Jese sent Madrid into the lead. Can Bilbao make use of their man advantage? The home side are in control of the possession, with Los Blancos forced to retreat. What a match at San Mames.
Half-chance for the home side as Herrera strikes one from outside the box, but his effort moves wide of the post. Not too much from Madrid in the last couple of moments with Los Blancos still shocked by that decision to send Ronaldo from the field.
Madrid make their first change of the match as Illarramendi enters the field in place of Jese. Back to that sending-off incident - what about the clash between Ronaldo and Iturraspe?...
Bilbao continue to threaten with a series of crosses into the Madrid box, but the away side continue to resist the danger. Another corner is delivered by Gomez, but Alonso rises to clear the danger. It appears that the home side are preparing to make their third and final change of the evening.
CHANCE! Wonderful effort from Gomez as the Bilbao forward strikes one on the bounce, but Lopez manages to make a stunning save at the vital moment. Lopez is then forced to save a header from Aduriz from the resulting corner. Can Bilbao pick up all three points?
Bilbao do indeed make their third and final change as Benat replaces Rico. Madrid also make their second change as Morata replaces Benzema. Is there to be a winner? In truth, a draw would not be the worst result for either side under the circumstances.
Madrid make their third and final change as Varane makes his comeback from a long-term injury by replacing Carvajal. Not too much time remaining for either side to score a winner this evening. Barcelona, as it stands, remain second in the table.
FULL TIME: Bilbao 1-1 Madrid
So there we have it. Madrid miss the chance to move into second following a 1-1 draw with Bilbao, whose unbeaten home record in the league continues. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us for more La Liga football tomorrow. Until then!
