MADRID (Interstat) — Jude Bellingham scored once and assisted another goal, leading Real Madrid to a 4-2 victory over Athletic Bilbao on Saturday in the La Liga season opener at Estadio Santiago Bernabéu.

Real Madrid seized an early advantage when midfielder Gonzalo García found the net in the 12th minute. The home side doubled its lead in the 41st minute as Bellingham scored, capitalizing on a pass from Thiago Pinar. Just before halftime, in the first minute of stoppage time, Athletic Bilbao substitute Gorka Guruzeta pulled one back, making the score 2-1 at the break.

Kylian Mbappé restored Real Madrid’s two-goal cushion in the 51st minute, firing home from close range. The forward’s goal came after a sustained period of Madrid pressure. Bilbao threatened in the second half but could not find an equalizer. Brahim Díaz put the match out of reach in the 88th minute, scoring his first of the campaign to make it 4-1. In the first minute of second-half stoppage time, Athletic substitute Urko Izeta scored a consolation goal, but the visitors ran out of time to mount a comeback.

Bellingham’s stat line of one goal and one assist highlighted the midfielder’s influence in the center of the park. Urko Izeta, entering as a substitute, scored Bilbao’s second goal. Brahim Díaz also scored, as did Gonzalo García and Kylian Mbappé, each netting once. For Athletic, Gorka Guruzeta’s first-half goal came off the bench as well. Thiago Pinar recorded a single assist on Bellingham’s goal.

The match featured two yellow cards. Athletic’s Thiago Pinar was booked in the third minute, and Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham received a caution in the 20th minute.

With the result, Real Madrid improved to 1-0 in both La Liga play and across all competitions. Athletic Bilbao fell to 0-1 in both categories.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Real Madrid 2, Athletic Bilbao 1. Interstat’s ELO system gave Real Madrid a 98.90 percent probability to win before kickoff.