Real Madrid welcomed Athletic Bilbao to the Spanish capital on Saturday needing the three points to keep pace with Barcelona at the top of La Liga.
They found themselves ahead after 12 minutes when Karim Benzema converted from outside the box and it was quickly two when Sergio Ramos thumped a header home from close range.
Benzema added his second and Madrid's third moments later, but Bilbao did gain a route back into the match just before the break when Ibai Gomez found the bottom corner.
Madrid put the game beyond doubt early in the second period, however, when Mesut Ozil tapped home from close range and Sami Khedira added gloss to the scoreline late on.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary below.
Evening all! Now it's over to Madrid who must seemingly win every match from now until the end of the season if they are to keep pace with Barcelona. In their way is a Bilbao outfit that have struggled for form this season.
Teams:
Real Madrid: Casillas; Arbeloa, Ramos, Pepe, Coentrao; Alonso, Modric, Callejon; Ozil, Ronaldo, Benzema
Athletic Bilbao: Iraizoz; Borde, Dominguez, Iraola, Ekiza; Iturraspe, Susaeta, Gurpegui; Gomez, Muniain, Aduriz
Bilbao have won their last two matches in the league and there have been signs that their form from last season is returning. Their 2-1 win over Sevilla last time out was arguably their most impressive performance of the season, but they have lost their last five matches against Madrid.
Meanwhile, Madrid have conceded just eight league goals this season - the lowest in La Liga - and Cristiano Ronaldo took his tally to 124 goals in La Liga against Levante. However, he is still chasing the record set by Raul.
Bilbao have beaten Madrid at the Bernabeu in recent seasons, however, with a 2-0 success in February 2005. But much has changed at both clubs since then. My prediction for the match is a 3-0 win for the home side.
Here we go then. Handshakes? Check. Flags exchanged? Check. Madrid simply have to keep on winning. But Bilbao are in town looking to cause an upset.
Bilbao kick us off on this mild evening in the Spanish capital. No Fernando Llorente for the away side once more. Negotiations aside, surely he should be in the team?
Decent start from Bilbao as Iker Muniain picks up possession before attacking Arbeloa and the young Spaniard wins a corner. However, Alonso rises highest to clear the danger.
Half-chance for the home side to open the scoring as Ramos fires a searching cross towards Ronaldo, but the Portuguese attacker can only head wide of the target.
Madrid have taken control of the match after a bright start from the away side. Half-chance for Ronaldo to open the scoring as he strikes from distance, but Iraizoz collects the danger.
The game has just settled into a pattern of Madrid dominating possession and Bilbao attempting to play on the counter. The match is set up for goals to be scored.
It's smart work from Bilbao as Ibai Gomez strikes an effort from outside the box, but Ramos clears for a corner which Casillas punches and now Madrid are on the attack.
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Athletic Bilbao (Benzema)
Madrid take the lead as Benzema collects a long pass before firing over the head of Iraizoz. Although replays have shown that Iraola might have got the last touch.
The goal has just taken the pressure off the home side. Bilbao have become known as a side that are tough to break down, but their game plan has been undone just 12 minutes into the match.
CHANCE! It's all Madrid at the moment as Benzema finds Callejon in the box, but the midfielder can only fire over the crossbar. That was a big chance for number two. One-way traffic at the moment.
Bilbao are really struggling to get out of their own half at the moment with Modric and Ozil enjoying plenty of the possession. Aduriz and Muniain just have not seen the ball.
Half-chance for the home side once more as Ronaldo thumps a powerful effort from outside the box, but Iraizoz manages to gather with Benzema hovering. Bilbao really need a period of possession at the moment.
Another sighter for Ronaldo as he strikes an effort from outside the box, but it moves over the crossbar. Much like Barcelona, Madrid have not got out of second gear thus far in this match.
CHANCE! Ramos comes close to adding Madrid's second as he meets an Ozil corner, but Iraizoz tips the danger behind for another corner. Bilbao need to get the likes of Susaeta and Muniain on the ball.
Bilbao launch a rare attack forward as Borja finds the run of Susaeta, but the brilliant Ramos quells the danger with a fine challenge. However, there are better signs from the away side.
Just as I say that Madrid come close to their second as Coentrao combines with Ozil inside the box, but he can only fire his effort over the crossbar from close range.
GOAL! Real Madrid 2-0 Athletic Bilbao (Ramos)
Madrid extend their lead as Ramos meets an Ozil cross to thump his header past Iraizoz. However, it was poor defending from Bilbao.
Bilbao simply cannot suffer any further damage from now until the break. This is as well as Madrid have played this season. They appear to be back.
GOAL! Real Madrid 3-0 Athletic Bilbao (Benzema)
Oh my word! That is just wonderful from Benzema as he curls an effort into the top corner. That is a strike of the highest quality. This game is over.
Well, it really could not have gone much worse for Bilbao in this opening 35 minutes. But they are up against a Madrid team in top form this evening. This is the side that won La Liga last season.
Bilbao have enjoyed a spell of possession since falling three behind, but it is difficult to see where they go from here. Surely the match is over in terms of a contest. But they must play for pride.
CHANCE! Benzema comes close to scoring goal number three as he advances on goal, but Iraizoz makes a smart save to deny the Frenchman.
It must be said that Modric has been fabulous in this opening half of football. The Croatian is really starting to find his feet in Madrid.
CHANCE! Callejon should have added Madrid's fourth of the evening as he met a cross from Ozil, but Iraizoz made a fine save.
GOAL! Real Madrid 3-1 Athletic Bilbao (Gomez)
What do we have here? Bilbao have one back as Ibai Gomez finds the bottom corner with a fine finish from close range.
Suddenly we have a match on our hands as Muniain attacks the Madrid defence with pace, but Pepe blocks the danger. Bilbao could be four behind here, but yet they have one back.
Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional one minute at the end of the half.
Real Madrid 3-1 Athletic Bilbao
So there we have it. Madrid lead Bilbao 3-1 at the interval following a pulsating 45 minutes of action in the Spanish capital.
Madrid found themselves 3-0 ahead following a double from Karim Benzema and a header from Sergio Ramos, but a strike from Ibai Gomez late in the half has given Bilbao hope.
Let's take a look at some statistics from the opening half. Bilbao have actually dominated the possession with 59% of the ball, but they have had just three shots to Madrid's 13.
Benzema has been a real star in the opening half of football, but we have not seen much from Muniain or Aritz Aduriz. The next goal in this match could ultimately decide the result.
Madrid get us underway in the second period. Change for Bilbao at the interval as Fernando Llorente comes on in place of Muniain. Wouldn't it be just like football if he came up with the goods in this match.
Fairly low-key start to the second half with Madrid forcing themselves on the Bilbao defence, but Borja and San Jose combine to clear the danger.
Just as I say that Madrid burst into life with two chances in quick succession, but Benzema and Ronaldo fail to find the target from close range.
Decent spell of possession from the away side as Susaeta and Gomez both combine in the Madrid half, but Ramos steps in to clear the danger. However, Bilbao push forward once more.
Big penalty shout from Bilbao as Arbeloa appeared to handle inside the penalty area, but the referee was not interested and waved play on. Bilbao are enjoying a good spell at the moment.
GOAL! Real Madrid 4-1 Athletic Bilbao (Ozil)
Isn't that just football? Bilbao have a penalty appeal turned down and Madrid advance down the other end and extend their threat through Ozil.
It was in fact Coentrao who handled inside the penalty area. It is cruel on Bilbao but Madrid will not mind one jot. This match is over and we still have 30 minutes of football to play.
CHANCE! Oh my word. Benzema comes close to adding his third as he strikes from close range, but Aurtenetxe clears the danger off the line.
Madrid are just irresistible at the moment as they flood forward with Ronaldo and Benzema in tandem. Meanwhile, they make a change as Ozil is replaced by Sami Khedira.
CHANCE! Another chance for Madrid as Modric dances into the penalty area, but his shot is straight at Iraizoz. There are certainly more goals to be had in this one.
Half-chance for the away side this time as Gomez whips a dangerous cross into the penalty area, but Susaeta just cannot make contact. Maybe another goal could yet change this match.
Meanwhile, change for Bilbao as Aduriz is replaced by Toquero. It just hasn't been the former Valencia striker's night this evening. Still more than 20 minutes of football to be played.
Another change for the home side as Callejon is replaced by Angel di Maria. That is some talent to bring off the bench. Meanwhile, Ronaldo comes close with a header from inside the box.
Another half-chance for the home side as Ronaldo advances on goal, but his effort is straight at Iraizoz. Madrid have scored four and Ronaldo has not got any of them!
GOAL! Real Madrid 5-1 Athletic Bilbao (Khedira)
It's five for the home side as Khedira fires a low effort past Iraizoz. The Bilbao goalkeeper should have done better but he has been left so isolated.
Third and final change for the home side as Benzema is replaced by Morata. Madrid are still creating chances as we enter the final 15 minutes.
In fairness to Bilbao they are still trying to play football. But they have been caught by a wonderful Madrid side this evening. This is as well as they have played all season.
Half-chance for the home side as Ronaldo strikes another effort from distance, but his strike is over the crossbar and play is restarted.
Meanwhile, third and final change for the away side as Gurpegui is replaced by Castillo. Little under 10 minutes of normal time remaining.
Bilbao continue to offer a threat in the latter stages with Gomez advancing down the right, but Pepe comes across to clear the danger once more.
Still no goal for Ronaldo as Iraola heads back to his goalkeeper with the attacker in close proximity. Meanwhile, Morata is denied by a fine save from Iraizoz.
Madrid continue to pass and probe as we enter the remaining three minutes of normal time. Just a reminder that they have a key Champions League clash with Manchester City on Wednesday.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes at the end of the 90 and Madrid are not easing off.
Still Ronaldo goes in search of his first of the evening, but it just has not happened for the Portuguese tonight. Yet his side are about to win 5-1.
Real Madrid 5-1 Athletic Bilbao
So there we have it. Madrid continue their solid run in the league with a thumping win over Bilbao. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us for more La Liga football tomorrow. Until then!
