Real Madrid won 3-0 in Bilbao, cutting their lead over defending champions Barcelona to one point at the top of La Liga.
Kylian Mbappé’s double gave Real Madrid a 3-0 victory over Athletic Club in Bilbao, tightening the race for the La Liga title with Barcelona.
The French forward scored on either side of Eduardo Camavinga’s header in the first half of Wednesday’s game, ensuring that Los Blancos keep pace with Barcelona after Tuesday’s win over Atlético Madrid meant they were provisionally four points clear at the top of the table.
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Real were reeling from a three-game draw that gave their fierce rivals pole position in the league, while their recent drought also saw them suffer a heavy defeat to Liverpool.
There were few signs of nervousness on Xabi Alonso’s side, despite rumors that the former Real midfielder was under extra pressure in his first season at the Santiago Bernabéu, replacing Carlos Ancelotti in the summer.
The match played at Athletic’s San Mamés was one of Real’s best performances of the season.
Trent Alexander-Arnold bagged his first La Liga assist, Mbappe opened the scoring early on and Camavinga nodded in his second before half-time.
French superstar Mbappé added another goal in the second half, scoring his 16th league goal of the season and sealing Madrid’s victory.
The downside for Los Blancos was the obvious injuries to Alexander-Arnold and Camavinga in the second half, with both players being substituted.
Mbappe almost gave Real Madrid the lead in the fourth minute, but Unai Simon made a deft save at his near post to deny Vinicius’ shot.
Madrid came out of the blocks strong and took the lead in the seventh minute with Mbappé’s stunning goal.
Alexander-Arnold brought the forward forward with a great long pass, and Mbappé drifted menacingly into the box, beating Simon with a perfect finish.
Gorka Gurzeta’s shot forced Thibaut Courtois into a good save in one of Athletic’s rare attacks up front.
The best chance came when Nico Williams and Alex Behrenger combined, and Courtois made a great stop to deny the latter.
This woke Madrid up and they took control again, threatening twice with Vinicius connecting effectively with Mbappé.
The Brazilian winger curled a low shot from a narrow angle just wide of the post, and Simon, outside the goal, tried to block it.
A few minutes later, the goalkeeper made a great save to deny Vinicius a one-on-one after Eder Militao sent Vinicius into goal.
Madrid got their second goal before the interval after a great team move. Mbappé nodded Alexander-Arnold’s cross across goal and Camavinga headed home from close range.
Courtois denied Athletic a foothold in the game early in the second half by knocking down Mikel Jaureguizard’s fierce shot from mid-range.
Madrid’s night took a turn for the worse when Alexander-Arnold went down with an apparent muscular injury, forcing him to be replaced by Raul Asensio.
Mbappe put the game in doubt with another long-range shot that hit the near post. Simon could have done more to prevent it and perhaps undid some of his previous good work.
Camavinga was later forced off injured as former Real Sociedad player Alonso risked further injury in a dream trip to his former rivals in the Basque Country.
The manager even received a warm hug from Vinicius when he replaced the Brazilian, despite his ongoing feud with him over the past few weeks.
