In a stellar display, Rodrygo’s two superb goals propelled Real Madrid to a convincing victory over Athletic Bilbao in their final match before the crucial Champions League showdown against Manchester City.
The Brazilian forward showcased his prowess with a stunning strike from 20 yards to open the scoring, followed by a composed finish after a mesmerizing run, sealing the win for Real Madrid.
With the return of England midfielder Jude Bellingham from suspension, Real Madrid asserted their dominance, maintaining an eight-point lead over Barcelona at the top of La Liga with only eight games remaining.
Despite their commanding performance, Real Madrid could have extended their lead further, with Federico Valverde and Brahim Diaz coming close to scoring. Athletic Bilbao’s hopes of equalizing were thwarted by goalkeeper Andriy Lunin’s crucial save from Inaki Williams’ attempt.
As Athletic Bilbao prepare to face Mallorca in the Copa del Rey final, they remain fourth in the table, one point ahead of Atletico Madrid.
Real Madrid also received a boost with the return of Brazil defender Eder Militao, who made his first appearance since August after recovering from a serious injury.
Looking ahead, Real Madrid gears up to host Manchester City in the quarter-final first leg of the Champions League on April 9th, followed by the return leg in Manchester on April 17th. As the record 14-time European champions, Real Madrid aims to continue their quest for Champions League glory with a strong performance against Manchester City.