Mbappé vs Athletic Bilbao delivered exactly what Real Madrid needed. Kylian Mbappé produced a brilliant brace and an assist in a 3-0 win at San Mamés, ending Madrid’s winless run in LaLiga and cutting the gap at the top of the table. On a difficult night away to one of Spain’s toughest home crowds, Mbappé was the difference-maker from the opening minutes.
Mbappé sets the tone with an early solo strike
The match could hardly have started better for Madrid. Just minutes into the game, Mbappé received the ball on the left flank, drove at the Athletic back line and cut inside before drilling a low shot into the far corner. It was a trademark Mbappé goal: explosive acceleration, close control and a ruthless finish that silenced the home crowd.
Athletic tried to respond with high pressing and direct balls into the box. They enjoyed spells of possession and territory, but Madrid’s defense, anchored by an organized back line and a confident goalkeeper, held firm. When the hosts did break through, the Madrid keeper was there with strong saves to protect the narrow lead.
The turning point came just before halftime. After a flowing move down the left, Mbappé found space and whipped in a teasing cross toward the penalty spot. A midfield runner met it with a well-timed header to make it 2–0, giving Madrid a cushion at the break and rewarding their efficiency in the final third.
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Control, composure and a clinical second from Mbappé
The second half followed a similar pattern. Athletic pushed numbers forward, driven by the San Mamés crowd, and continued to send waves of attacks toward the Madrid penalty area. Yet they lacked the finishing touch, and Madrid managed the game with impressive calm, slowing the tempo when needed and picking their moments to counter.
Then Mbappé struck again. Just before the hour mark, he received the ball near the edge of the box, shifted it onto his right foot and curled a precise shot into the corner for 3-0. The goal was his second of the night and another reminder of why he is already the focal point of Madrid’s attack.
From there, Madrid controlled the rhythm. Their midfield shielded the defense, their wide players stretched the pitch on the break, and the goalkeeper added a few more important interventions to preserve the clean sheet. It was a complete away performance built around Mbappé’s brilliance and the team’s composure under pressure.
Why Mbappé vs Athletic Bilbao matters for Real Madrid’s season
Beyond the scoreline, Mbappé vs Athletic Bilbao feels like a reset moment for Madrid. Coming into the match, they had dropped points in several league fixtures and were starting to face questions about form and consistency. Beating an Athletic side that usually makes life miserable for visitors, and doing so 3–0, sends a clear message ahead of a busy stretch of fixtures in LaLiga and Europe.
Mbappé’s individual numbers tell their own story: two goals, one assist and constant danger in transition. His movement off the left, his link-up with the rest of the front line and his ability to decide games almost on his own give Madrid a different ceiling this season. Performances like this explain why the club moved so aggressively to make him the centerpiece of their next era.
The win also tightens the title race. Madrid stay within touching distance of the league leaders and keep the pressure on as the schedule intensifies. For a club that measures success by trophies, big away nights in Bilbao matter as much as the showpiece clashes in Madrid or Barcelona.
For Athletic, the 3-0 loss will sting, especially given how often they reached dangerous areas without scoring. Their aggressive play and willingness to press high suggest they will continue to trouble opponents at San Mamés, but this was a reminder of what happens when an elite finisher punishes every mistake.
For Madrid, though, this match will be remembered first and foremost as a showcase for their new superstar. Mbappé vs Athletic Bilbao was not just a headline – it was the clearest sign yet that Kylian Mbappé is ready to carry Real Madrid through the defining months of the season.
