Mbappé Shines Bright as Real Madrid Silence San Mamés
So, the story from San Mamés is one of those nights where everything seems to click for Real Madrid, and at the center of it all stood Kylian Mbappé. The French superstar delivered exactly the kind of performance the team had been craving, and his two goals — plus an assist — helped Real Madrid take a confident 3–0 win over Athletic Club. It felt like the kind of match where the pressure had been building for weeks, and suddenly, with one explosive display, it all got released.
From the first whistle, Real Madrid were on the front foot. The plan from Xabi Alonso was clear: start strong, dominate the ball, and let the talent speak for itself. And that’s exactly what happened. Athletic, weakened by the absences of key players like Sancet and Iñaki Williams, looked noticeably short in attack and far too soft in defense. It didn’t take long for the difference in sharpness to show.
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The opening goal came early, and it was vintage Mbappé. A long, precise switch from Trent Alexander-Arnold — who was having one of his best games in a Madrid shirt — found Mbappé out wide. With a stunning first touch, he eliminated Lekue, accelerated inside, shook off Laporte, and smashed the ball low inside the left post. It was one of those goals that slow motion cannot do justice to — you had to see the real-speed burst to feel the brilliance.
Although Athletic tried responding with bursts from Nico Williams and chances for Guruzeta and Berenguer, they kept running into the same wall: Thibaut Courtois. The Belgian goalkeeper produced two huge saves that could easily have changed the script. But once Madrid regained control, the second goal was inevitable. After a long, patient passing sequence, Trent sent another perfect cross to the far post, Mbappé nodded it back, and Camavinga headed it in from close range. A true team goal, crafted with composure and finished with strength.
The second half had a familiar rhythm — Athletic pushed, the crowd roared, and for a moment things seemed to tilt. A long-range hit from Jauregizar forced Courtois into another flying save, and Nico Williams made a couple of dangerous runs. But just when San Mamés felt alive again, Mbappé killed the momentum with a bolt from distance. He picked up the ball, looked up, and fired from nearly 20 meters. Unai Simón reacted late, and the ball slipped inside his near post for 3–0. That was the knockout punch.
There were unfortunate moments, too. Both Trent and Camavinga ended the night injured after delivering some of their best football of the season. And although Vinicius had his fiery moments with the crowd, the tension faded when Xabi Alonso substituted both him and Mbappé to a calmer finish.
By the final whistle, Real Madrid had looked every bit the title contender they expect to be. The storm of recent dropped points was quieted. And once again, it was Mbappé — unstoppable, decisive, and completely unbothered by the pressure — who turned the night in Madrid’s favor.
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