Kylian Mbappe Stars as Real Madrid Beat Athletic Bilbao 3-0 to Stay Close to Barcelona:

Kylian Mbappe scored twice, while Eduardo Camavinga added a header to secure a comfortable victory for Los Blancos. The win was crucial for Real Madrid, who had struggled recently with three consecutive draws and a heavy defeat against Liverpool in the Champions League. These results allowed Barcelona to take the lead in the title race temporarily. However, Real Madrid showed no signs of nerves in Bilbao and delivered one of their best performances of the season. Mbappe opened the scoring early in the game. Trent Alexander-Arnold set up the French star with a perfect long pass, and Mbappe calmly finished past goalkeeper Unai Simon in the seventh minute. Athletic Bilbao tried to respond, with Gorka Guruzeta firing over the goal and Nico Williams and Alex Berenguer combining for a good chance, but Thibaut Courtois made excellent saves to keep Real in control. The second goal came just before halftime. Alexander-Arnold delivered a precise cross, which Mbappe nodded across the box for Camavinga to head home from close range. This goal gave Real a comfortable lead going into the break. In the second half, Courtois again kept Athletic at bay, tipping over a powerful shot from Mikel Jauregizar. Unfortunately for Real, Alexander-Arnold had to leave the game with a muscular injury, and Raul Asencio replaced him. Later, Camavinga also appeared to be injured and was substituted, raising concerns about Real’s squad ahead of important fixtures. Mbappe sealed the victory with his second goal of the night. The French forward struck from distance, sending the ball past Simon to make it 3-0 and put the game beyond doubt. This goal marked Mbappe’s 16th league goal of the season, keeping him among the top scorers in La Liga. Despite the injuries, Real Madrid dominated most of the match. Vinicius Jr. had two good chances to score, hitting the post on one attempt and being denied by Simon in a one-on-one situation. The team’s strong performance was a reminder of their attacking quality and why they remain serious contenders for the league title. Athletic Bilbao, on the other hand, struggled to create clear chances and were unable to break through Madrid’s defense. The loss leaves them further from the top spots, while Real Madrid keeps pace with Barcelona in the exciting La Liga race. The victory also eased pressure on Real’s coach, Xavi Alonso, who faced rumors about his future after a difficult start to the season. His side’s strong performance in Bilbao, combined with Mbappe’s brilliance, provided a perfect response to critics. In summary, Real Madrid delivered a complete team performance, with Mbappe in exceptional form. Despite injury worries for Alexander-Arnold and Camavinga, Los Blancos showed they are ready to fight till the end of the season for the La Liga title.

SPORT