Real Madrid stumbled to a 1-1 draw against Athletic Bilbao as Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off in a dramatic night at the San Mames.
Jese Rodriguez had earlier given Madrid the lead, but Ibai Gomez levelled and Ronaldo’s dismissal left his team desperately hanging on for a point.
Earlier, Madrid started strongly as Angel Di Maria and Ronaldo fired long-range efforts off target, but the hosts then took over and enjoyed a dominant opening period.
Their first chance came after 15 minutes when Ander Herrera threaded an excellent pass into the stride of striker Aritz Aduriz, who raced clear but wasted a golden opportunity by shooting badly wide with his left foot.
And Bilbao soon squandered another glorious chance when Markel Susaeta delivered a low right flank cross into the path of Iker Muniain at the far post, but the winger was caught in two minds over whether to control or shoot first time, consequently producing a heavy touch.
Madrid keeper Diego Lopez was then forced into a save from Herrera, and Bilbao continued to domi-nate until the interval arrived with the game goalless. The visitors made a better start to the second half as Luka Modric’s long-range effort forced a flying save from Gorka Iraizoz, who also did well to deny Karim Benzema at his near post.
Los Blancos’ second-half improvement paid off when they took the lead after 65 minutes. Benzema fed Ronaldo down the left wing, and the Portuguese star’s low centre was prodded over the line from close range by the predatory Jese.
But Bilbao sensationally levelled when newly-introduced substitute Ibai ran onto a loose ball on the edge of the box and thumped a brilliantly-struck low drive into the left-hand corner.
And worse soon followed for Madrid with Ronaldo’s dramatic dismissal after appearing to pull the hair and scratch the face of home defender Carlos Gurpegi.
Ibai nearly won it with a superb volley which Lopez tipped over the bar, and Aduriz headed the resulting corner straight at Lopez as Madrid held on.
