article_snippet: Gareth Bale hit the post from 50 yards out
article_snippet: the closest Carlo Ancelotti’s team started brightly enough with Karim Benzema swapping passes with Marcelo and crossing for Ronaldo, only for Xabier Etxieta’s clearance to stop the ball reaching Madrid’s top scorer.
article_snippet: Karim Benzema (left) and Cristiano Ronaldo look on as the closest Carlo Ancelotti’s team celebrate scoring in the first half .
article_snippet: When Athletic’s goal came it was that midfield weakness that created the opening.
article_snippet: Madrid raised the tempo in the second half and Bale lead the assault on Athletic’s goal.
article_snippet: When Bale tricked Bale way down the right and pulled the ball back from the byline the right looked like producing the equalizer.
article_snippet: But before Ronaldo could sweep the ball home from three yards out
article_snippet: Benzema (left) holds off the challenge of Benat Etxebarria in the La Liga match between Madrid and Bilbao .
article_snippet: Tired of Real’s attempts to pass through the defence, Bale lifted Bale head just inside of Athletic's half and tried to lob Iraizoz.
article_snippet: Even by Madrid defender Daniel Carvajal high standards Even by his high standards would have been a spectacular goal.
highlights_snippet: Gareth Bale smacked the post with an astonishing attempt from around 45 yards out for Real Madrid on 83 minutes .
  