Mbappe Masterclass Drives Real Madrid Past Athletic Bilbao 3–0

Real Madrid entered the match searching for direction, and Kylian Mbappé delivered it with pace, sharp movement, and precise finishing. His two goals and one assist pushed the team to a commanding 3–0 victory at San Mamés, cutting Barcelona’s league lead to just one point. After three straight draws on the road, this performance felt like a jolt of energy, tension turned to excitement in moments.

Madrid Start Fast and Mean

The opening spell set the tone. Mbappe almost struck inside four minutes when he darted into space and forced Unai Simon into a sharp save. Vinicius soon followed with a stinging drive that Simon pushed away. Honestly, you could feel the tension building around the stands.

Madrid’s breakthrough came quickly. Trent Alexander-Arnold noticed Mbappé drifting inside and lifted a long, curling pass that sliced through Athletic’s defensive line. Mbappé stepped forward, settled the ball, and placed a smooth shot into the corner. The stadium reacted with a mix of disbelief and admiration.

Athletic tried to respond through Gorka Guruzeta, who lashed one over the bar, then tested Thibaut Courtois with a low effort that the Belgian smothered. Their best moment arrived when Nico Williams slipped into the box and squared for Alex Berenguer. Courtois read it early and threw himself across the goal to block. To be fair, that save kept Madrid ahead at a delicate time.

The tempo jumped again soon after. Vinícius struck the outside of the post from a tight angle, then moments later forced Simón into a crucial one-on-one save after Eder Militão sent him through the center. Madrid had seized control and refused to let the match slip from their hands.

Their second goal felt inevitable. A neat passing move stretched Athletic, Mbappe rose to meet Alexander Arnold’s cross and cushioned a smart header back across the goal. Eduardo Camavinga met it on the line and nodded in from inches out. That one moment flipped everything. Bilbao’s energy dipped, Madrid’s confidence surged.

Bilbao Fade as Mbappe Takes Over

The second half opened with a warning shot from Mikel Jauregizar. His rising strike forced Courtois to tip over, a reminder that Athletic still had bite left. But Real stayed composed, and the match tilted again when Alexander Arnold limped off, clutching the back of his leg. The concern written on his face told its own story.

Madrid shrugged off the setback thanks to their No. 7. Mbappe collected the ball twenty-five yards out, stepped inside, and smashed a low drive toward the near post. Simon reacted late. The ball skidded under his glove and crashed in. Gasps echoed around the stadium. It was Mbappe’s sixteenth league goal and his twenty-fifth in all competitions.

Camavinga’s evening also ended early after he landed awkwardly in a midfield tangle. The disappointment was clear as he trudged off, yet the match never slipped away from Madrid. Their shape held, their passing stayed crisp, and their forwards kept stretching the game.

Madrid Tighten the Title Race Again

By the final whistle, Real Madrid looked relieved, almost refreshed. Mbappe led the celebrations with that relaxed grin he wears when everything feels easy. Vinicius hugged coach Xabi Alonso as he came off, a small scene that hinted the friction of recent weeks may be easing.

The points table looks very different now. Madrid cut the gap, restored belief, and showed a cleaner, hungrier version of themselves. Athletic battled, but the night belonged to Mbappe, whose influence touched every corner of this contest.