Immediate Reaction: Real Madrid 4-2 Athletic Bilbao

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MADRID, SPAIN - MAY 23: Daniel Carvajal of Real Madrid celebrates after teammate Gonzalo Garcia (not pictured) scored the team's first goal during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Real Madrid CF and Athletic Club at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on May 23, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Real Madrid 4-2 Athletic Bilbao (García, Bellingham & Mbappé & Díaz). It’s finally over… This is the final immediate reaction of the season. Be sure to catch: Player ratings, interviews and a podcast.

For Dani Carvajal, David Alaba and likely a couple of others, this was the last time that they would pull on the jersey of Real Madrid. Álvaro Arbeloa would also be saying his goodbyes – starting Thiago Pitarch until the end. Fede Valverde also started in midfield, with a number of youngsters making the bench. Dani Carvajal captained the team for the final time.

Our starting XI!
@Athletic_enpic.twitter.com/W9eqxWbip3

— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) May 23, 2026

The first half: great! Gonzalo García scored early, assisted by the main man Dani Carvajal. Jude Bellingham made it two, with his weaker foot – before Athletic Bilbao pulled one back before half-time.

@gonzalo7garcia_ pic.twitter.com/Jb0aqkJtDK

— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) May 23, 2026

Kylian Mbappé scored the third to push Real Madrid ahead, in a slightly slower half of football. Dani Carvajal was substituted late in order to give him the standing ovation he deserves. A club legend. Brahim Díaz made it four late on, and Bilbao even managed to sneak a goal in before the final whistle – which brought this miserable season to a close. Finally… What needs to happen this summer at Real Madrid ahead of next season?

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