Real Madrid signed off on a turbulent, trophy-less 2025/26 domestic campaign with an entertaining 4-2 victory over Athletic Club at a highly emotional Santiago Bernabéu.
The match served as the definitive end of two distinct short-term eras: it marked Álvaro Arbeloa’s final match in the dugout before José Mourinho assumes control, and it provided a legendary, tears-filled send-off for club captain Dani Carvajal.
Match Summary: Young Blood and Galáctico Goals
Despite missing key stars like Vinícius Jr. and the ill Trent Alexander-Arnold, Madrid’s attack clicked beautifully from the first whistle.
1. The Academy Link-Up (12′)
The fairytale script was written early. Just 12 minutes in, Dani Carvajal advanced deep down the right flank and whipped a sensational, pinpoint cross into the box. La Fábrica graduate Gonzalo García met it cleanly, firing the hosts ahead to send the stadium into raptures.
2. Bellingham’s Brilliance (35′)
England international Jude Bellingham doubled the margin before the break, showcasing his world-class spatial awareness by drifting past two defenders and curling a superb finish into the far corner.
3. Athletic Fightback & The Pichichi Strike (45′, 68′)
Ernesto Valverde’s men refused to go quietly in what was also the Basque manager’s final match leading Athletic. Gorka Guruzeta capitalized on a defensive lapse to slam a powerful strike past Thibaut Courtois right before halftime.
However, La Liga’s top goalscorer Kylian Mbappé restored order in the second half. Collecting the ball outside the penalty area, the French superstar swept home a fierce effort to notch his 25th league goal of a phenomenal individual debut campaign.
4. Late Drama (80’+)
The closing stages saw Brahim Díaz calmly tucking home a fourth goal following a slick counter-attack, ensuring Urko Izeta’s subsequent late consolation goal for Athletic did nothing to spoil the Madridista party.
The Moment of the Night: Standing Ovation & Guard of Honor
With 10 minutes left on the clock, Arbeloa signaled for the final substitution of the season, withdrawing Dani Carvajal to allow the stadium to voice its collective gratitude.
What followed was pure class. In a rare display of universal sporting respect, both Real Madrid and Athletic Club players formed a joint guard of honor on the pitch. The 34-year-old titan broke down in tears as 80,000 fans chanted his name, bringing a legendary 451-game, 27-trophy Bernabéu chapter to a historic close.
La Liga Final Day Fallout: Mallorca and Girona Relieved of Top-Flight Status
While Madrid secured their second-place finish behind Barcelona, absolute chaos unfolded at the bottom of the table to determine who would join Real Oviedo in the Segunda División next season.
| Club | Final Day Result | Points | Final Status |
| Levante | Defeated (Survived via H2H) | 42 | 16th Place |
| Osasuna | Defeated by Getafe 1-0 (Survived via H2H) | 42 | 17th Place |
| Mallorca | Defeated Real Oviedo 3-0 | 42 | RELEGATED (18th) |
| Girona | Drew with Elche 1-1 | 41 | RELEGATED (19th) |
A bizarre three-way tie on 42 points saw Levante, Osasuna, and Mallorca all level. Due to the intricate head-to-head mini-table rules in Spain, Mallorca was tragically condemned to the 18th spot despite their resounding 3-0 win over Oviedo today.
The biggest shockwave belongs to Girona. Just twelve months after captivating Europe by playing in the Champions League, their 1-1 draw against Elche officially confirmed their relegation, marking one of the most stunning collapses in modern Spanish football history.
RMxtra Verdict: The Stage is Set for Mourinho
Arbeloa leaves his post with a clean, dignified victory, successfully keeping the dressing room unified through an incredibly toxic month of internal training-ground altercations and intense media leaks.
The season ends with zero silverware, which is unacceptable by Real Madrid standards, but the foundations for the future are undeniable. Mbappé is a certified scoring machine, Bellingham is firing fit, and young talents like Gonzalo García and Thiago Pitarch are ready for the big stage. Tomorrow, the focus shifts entirely to the boardroom as Florentino Pérez prepares to officially welcome José Mourinho to begin the great summer rebuild.
