Kylian Mbappe faced yet another setback as Real Madrid suffered a 2-1 defeat against Athletic Bilbao in their latest La Liga match. This loss followed his previous penalty miss against Liverpool in the Champions League, further intensifying scrutiny on the French superstar. With this defeat, Real Madrid allowed Barcelona, the league leaders, to maintain their four-point advantage. The match was critical for Madrid to build momentum after securing three consecutive league victories, despite missing key players like Vinicius Junior. Coach Carlo Ancelotti opted to reintegrate Aurelien Tchouameni into the starting lineup, aiming to leverage Madrid’s momentum in a charged atmosphere at San Mames.
The game commenced with a high level of intensity from both sides, despite a lack of clear opportunities in the first half. Thibaut Courtois was crucial for Madrid, making an early save against Nico Williams while his brother, Inaki, posed a constant threat. Real Madrid experienced a brief moment of excitement when Mbappe had a goal disallowed for offside, and a penalty appeal from Rodrygo elicited a resolve from the referee that the Brazilian had gone down too easily. On the flip side, Berenguer had a prime opportunity to put Athletic Bilbao ahead but squandered it by shooting high over the bar after receiving a clever assist from Inaki Williams.
Bilbao eventually opened the scoring in the second half, courtesy of Alejandro Berenguer, who capitalized on a rebound created when Courtois failed to handle an Inaki Williams cross properly. This goal added urgency to Madrid’s game, and they were soon given a chance to equalize when Mbappe was awarded a penalty after being fouled by Athletic goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala. Following his recent struggles from the spot, Mbappe opted to take the penalty himself this time, but his shot was weak and easily parried away, reigniting doubts about his confidence in high-pressure scenarios.
Despite the penalty miss, Mbappe played a key role in Madrid’s equalizer, unleashing a powerful shot that Agirrezabala could only deflect into the path of Jude Bellingham. The English midfielder coolly finished to score his fourth goal in as many league matches, momentarily raising hopes for Madrid fans. However, the equalizer was short-lived as Athletic Bilbao quickly regained their lead through Gorka Guruzeta, who capitalized on a costly mistake from Fede Valverde to score a low shot past Courtois. That marked a decisive moment in the match as Madrid found themselves trailing again just two minutes after having leveled the score.
As the game wore on, Mbappe’s frustration was palpable; despite his best efforts, he was unable to inspire a comeback. The Athletic Bilbao defense effectively neutralized his attempts, and the raucous celebrations from the home fans during his struggles served only to underline his struggles in this match. The result was disheartening for Madrid, particularly as they had seen Barcelona dominate their match against Mallorca, winning 5-1 and extending their lead atop the league table. With Barcelona four points clear and having played one match fewer, Real Madrid’s pursuit of a title defense took a serious blow with this defeat.
The loss to Athletic Bilbao marks yet another chapter in a challenging period for Mbappe and Real Madrid. With increasing criticism directed toward the forward for his missed opportunities, questions regarding his role and importance to the team’s success have been brought to the forefront. Beyond just the implications for the league standings, this match served as a stark reminder of the pressures that come with wearing the legendary white jersey, particularly in a competitive league setting where every match counts significantly towards the title race. As Madrid prepares for upcoming fixtures, addressing their recent inconsistencies and Mbappe’s confidence will be crucial if they hope to keep pace with a dominant Barcelona side.
