In a feisty match in front of eighty thousand spectators at the Bernabeu Real Madrid overcame a spirited Athletic Bilbao challenge to win 3-2.

The defending champions made the perfect start and just before the half hour mark were good value for their two goal lead. A through ball from Gabriel Heinze was picked up by Wesley Sneijder who slotted home form the edge of the box. Gonzalo Higuain calmly slotted a clever back heel from Rafael van der Vaart. Joseba Etxeberria pulled one back for Athletic Club Bilbao in the thirtieth minute after a good build up. A penalty to the visitors after a challenge by Heinze on Fernando Llorente was slotted home by Andoni Iroala.

The second half began with both sides flying in with tackles. The winner came shortly before the hour mark after Fernando Gago fed Higuain a perfect through ball. The young striker did the rest. A red card against Fernando Amorebieta fourteen minutes from time reduced the visitors to ten men.