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Madrid hit five in fiery victory at Bilbao

  • Story Highlights
  • Real Madrid bounce back from Liverpool loss by thrashing Athletic Bilbao 5-2
  • Klass-Jan Huntelaar scores twice as the home side have Fran Yeste sent off
  • The win sees Madrid move to within three points of Barcelona in Primera Liga
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(CNN) -- Real Madrid bounced back from their Champions League humiliation by Liverpool to beat 10-man Athletic Bilbao 5-2 in a thrilling and fiery encounter at San Mames.

Klass-Jan Huntelaar (right) scored twice as Real Madrid hit five in an action-packed match against Bilbao.

Klass-Jan Huntelaar (right) scored twice as Real Madrid hit five in an action-packed match against Bilbao.

Madrid were thrashed 4-0 at Anfield in midweek but were 2-0 up after just 34 minutes on Saturday through Arjen Robben and Gabriel Heinze.

However, Argentine defender Heinze then put through his own net moments before Fran Yeste was shown a straight red card for a needless push on goalkeeper Iker Casillas.

The home side still managed to draw level in first-half stoppage time through Fernando Llorente, but Real made their numerical advantage count in the second half with a brace from Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and a fifth from the penalty spot from Gonzalo Higuain.

The result means champions Madrid are now just three points behind Barcelona in the Primera Liga, ahead of their rivals' visit to Almeria on Sunday.

Elsewhere, Valencia's recent slump continued with a disappointing 1-1 draw against Recreativo Huelva at the Mestalla.

Javier Camunas put the visitors ahead shortly after half-time and Los Che seemed destined to suffer another embarrassing defeat when Carlos Marchena was dismissed after picking up his second yellow card midway through the second period.

However, substitute Pablo Hernandez spared their blushes with a wonderful solo effort late on as both sides created good chances to clinch the points in a breathless finish.

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