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Mbappé Shines as Real Madrid Crush Athletic Club 3–0 at San Mamés
Real Madrid delivered a statement victory on Wednesday night, defeating Athletic Club 3–0 at San Mamés and ending their three-match winless streak in LaLiga. The result puts Madrid just one point behind league leaders FC Barcelona, who had beaten Atlético Madrid 3–1 a day earlier.
Mbappé Leads the Charge with a Brace
The spotlight belonged to Kylian Mbappé, who produced a brilliant performance in Bilbao. The French superstar scored twice—once in the 7th minute and again in the 59th—taking his tally to 16 LaLiga goals in just 15 matches. With 25 goals across all competitions this season, he stands as the top scorer among the big five European leagues.
Mbappé’s opening strike came after a superb long pass from Trent Alexander-Arnold. The 4-4-2 setup from Xabi Alonso allowed Mbappé and Vinícius to exploit space behind Athletic’s defensive line, and the Frenchman converted with a powerful finish past Unai Simón.
The moment was particularly special for Mbappé, who last year missed a penalty and endured a painful defeat at the same stadium. This time, he returned with confidence and determination—turning frustration into dominance.
Camavinga Adds to the Score Before the Break
Madrid controlled the first half with energetic pressing and attacking fluidity. After Vinícius struck the post and failed to beat Simón again, Eduardo Camavinga doubled the lead just before halftime. The midfielder headed home following a well-worked team move, finishing off Mbappé’s headed assist from an Alexander-Arnold cross.
It was Camavinga’s second goal of the season and a reward for his relentless presence in midfield.
Courtois Steps Up Again
While the final scoreline shows Madrid’s superiority, Thibaut Courtois delivered key moments that preserved the clean sheet. The Belgian goalkeeper made two crucial saves in the first half and produced another early in the second to deny Mikel Jauregizar.
Athletic attempted to push forward but lacked the spark needed to break through Madrid’s compact setup.
Mbappé Closes the Game with a Stunning Strike
Just before the hour mark, Mbappé sealed the result with a brilliant low shot from outside the box. Simón could only watch as the ball bent past him and clipped the inside of the right post. From that moment, the match was fully in Madrid’s control.
Federico Valverde nearly added a fourth, but Simón responded with a strong save late on.
A Historic Win and a Clear Message
This victory marked the 100th time Real Madrid has beaten Athletic Club in LaLiga, becoming only the second team to reach that milestone against another opponent.
For Madrid, the win is more than just three points—it’s a statement of intent. After a brief dip in results, they looked sharp, decisive, and hungry. With Barcelona only one point ahead, the title race is heating up.
Athletic’s Concerns Ahead
For Athletic Club, currently eighth, inconsistency remains a concern. Their upcoming matches against Atlético Madrid (LaLiga) and PSG (Champions League) will demand significant improvement if they hope to turn their season’s momentum around.
Verdict
Real Madrid’s visit to the Cathedral was expected to be a test, but they dominated from start to finish. Mbappé’s brilliance, combined with tactical discipline and clutch defending, turned the night into a clear triumph. If this performance becomes the standard, the title chase is far from over.
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