Real Madrid’s frustrations from a string of draws were erased as they triumphed 3-0 over Athletic Bilbao, a victory largely built around the brilliance of Kylian Mbappé. The French forward once again proved he is indispensable, scoring two exquisite goals and leading Madrid’s resurgence. Eduardo Camavinga’s midfield mastery completed the scoring, ensuring a comprehensive win for the Spanish giants.
Madrid’s recent draws had exposed a worrying lack of creativity in attack. With only Mbappé providing a consistent threat, the team struggled to convert possession into meaningful chances. The Bilbao clash, however, saw Real revert to a high-intensity attacking style, pressing their opponents from the outset. Early opportunities fell to both Mbappé and Vinícius Jr., but it was the former who capitalised first, netting a stunning strike just seven minutes in.
The goal epitomised Mbappé’s quality: controlling a precise ball from Trent Alexander-Arnold, navigating past defenders, and firing from distance with pinpoint accuracy. Bilbao sought to respond, testing Courtois repeatedly, but the Belgian goalkeeper was rock-solid, keeping his team’s sheet clean. Vinícius Jr. nearly doubled the lead before Camavinga’s composed finish in the 42nd minute made it 2-0, a perfectly timed counter-attack that showcased Real’s tactical intelligence.
After the break, Courtois maintained his vigilant presence, denying a long-range effort from Mikel with a spectacular one-handed save. Meanwhile, Mbappé sealed the win with a thunderbolt from 25 yards, assisted by Álvaro Carreras, leaving Bilbao with no answers.
With this win, Madrid leapfrogs several points closer to leaders Barcelona in the league table, registering 36 points from 15 matches, while Bilbao remains eighth with 20 points. Mbappé’s remarkable season continues, with 16 goals in La Liga, and his impact cannot be overstated. Real’s next challenge awaits at Santiago Bernabéu against Celta Vigo, where fans will hope for a continuation of this scintillating form.