This Saturday at San Mames, Rodrygo Goes took charge of advancing Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao for Matchday 1 of the new LaLiga EA Sports season in Spain. Watch the goal here.
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Real Madrid made their debut with a victory in the new league season this Saturday, defeating Athletic Bilbao 2-0 at San Mames, with the best tribute to their goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois after the serious knee injury he suffered this week.
The Madrid players took to the pitch at San Mames wearing shirts in support of their teammate, which read "Strength Tibo", who will have been able to enjoy Rodrygo's (28) and Jude Bellingham's (36) goals from home.
The Englishman, Madrid's star signing in this transfer window, was one of the main references in midfield, where Carlo Ancelotti left Luka Modric and Toni Kroos on the bench, giving prominence to the young players.
Bellingham was omnipresent in all areas of the field, assisting both in defense and threatening the opposing area, to assist Rodrygo and Vinicius towards the opposing goal.
The first half-hour of the game was a battle in midfield with two teams very closed and very intense in their pressing, which prevented great chances for either side until Rodrygo found the path to goal.
The Brazilian found a loose ball in the area and unleashed a powerful shot to the near post that surprised goalkeeper Unai Simon (28).
The goal led Real Madrid to slow down the game a bit, while still keeping Athletic at bay, as they couldn't manage a shot on goal in the first half, to the relief of Andriy Lunin, Courtois' substitute.