In a thrilling match at Athletic Bilbao, Jude Bellingham scored his fourth goal in as many games, yet it was insufficient to stop Real Madrid from suffering their second defeat in La Liga.
In a crucial moment of the match, the England midfielder equalised for Carlo Ancelotti’s team in the 78th minute, capitalising on a lacklustre save from Julen Agirrezabala.
In a surprising turn of events, the home team advanced rapidly up the pitch, capitalising on an unusual error by Federico Valverde. This lapse in judgement permitted Gorka Guruzeta to break free, and he calmly placed the ball past Real Madrid’s custodian, Thibaut Courtois.
Before Bellingham’s equaliser, Kylian Mbappe had the opportunity to equalise from the penalty spot following a foul on Antonio Rudiger by Agirrezabala. However, the French forward’s attempt was expertly saved, mirroring his previous penalty miss in last week’s Champions League defeat against Liverpool.
While he may not be performing at his peak, allowing him the necessary time to adjust is essential. “He has scored 10 goals and is striving for improvement,” Ancelotti remarked regarding Mbappe’s performance.
I have not had a conversation with him. The match proved to be a complex affair, marked by a sense of balance and fierce competition. After equalising, we felt we had regained control, but the small details ultimately cost us tonight.
Our team should have converted the penalty. Evaluating a player’s performance should be consistent with the consistency of penalty outcomes, which can vary between scored and missed. He is feeling disappointed; however, we must move forward.
Mbappe faced a challenging moment at Anfield, where his team suffered a 2-0 loss. However, his goal on Sunday marked the Frenchman’s eighth in the league, offering a foundation to build upon following a rocky beginning to his career in Spain.
Nonetheless, his performance at San Mames highlighted the significant challenges that Real’s coaching staff must address to effectively incorporate Mbappe into the team’s established framework as European champions.
In the absence of Vinicius Junior on the left flank, Kylian Mbappe took to the pitch in a position different from his preferred role. This tactical choice frequently saw him drift out wide, resulting in significant voids in Real Madrid’s attacking strategy.
Since his summer transfer from Paris St-Germain, moments of Mbappe showcasing his full potential have been rare.
Eight minutes into the second half, the hosts surged ahead with a precise finish from Alex Berenguer, who capitalised on a delightful cross delivered by Nico Williams.
Real Madrid intensified their efforts in the closing moments, with Mbappe nearly finding the back of the net. However, Ernesto Valverde’s team managed to maintain their lead, igniting wild celebrations among the home supporters.
With their second defeat of the La Liga season, Ancelotti’s squad finds themselves four points behind leaders Barcelona, although they do have a game in hand.
Athletic Bilbao secured their first league victory against Real since March 2015, narrowing the gap to three points behind third-placed Atletico Madrid.
