Mbappé Misses Penalty as Real Madrid Falls to Athletic Bilbao
La Liga

Mbappé Misses Penalty as Real Madrid Falls to Athletic Bilbao

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Kylian Mbappé’s penalty woes continued as Real Madrid suffered a 2-1 defeat to Athletic Bilbao in a thrilling La Liga clash at San Mamés. The French superstar, who has now missed two penalties in a week, failed to convert a crucial spot-kick in the second half, leaving Real Madrid four points behind league leaders Barcelona.

Mbappé’s Penalty Miss Proves Costly

The match began with high intensity as Athletic Bilbao pressed Real Madrid from the start. Despite a disallowed goal for Mbappé in the first half, the game remained goalless at halftime. However, the second half saw the hosts take the lead through Álex Berenguer, who capitalized on a rebound from Thibaut Courtois’ save in the 53rd minute.

Real Madrid had a golden opportunity to equalize when Kylian Mbappé stepped up to take a penalty in the 68th minute. Unfortunately for Los Blancos, Athletic goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala guessed correctly, diving to his left to deny Mbappé’s low strike. This marked Mbappé’s second penalty miss in as many games, following his failure against Liverpool in the Champions League last week.

Bellingham Shines but Real Madrid Falls Short

Jude Bellingham, who has been a standout performer for Real Madrid this season, managed to equalize in the 78th minute. The English midfielder pounced on a rebound after Agirrezabala parried Mbappé’s powerful shot, scoring his fourth goal in as many La Liga matches.

However, Real Madrid’s joy was short-lived. Just two minutes later, a defensive error by Federico Valverde gifted Athletic Bilbao the winning goal. Gorka Guruzeta intercepted Valverde’s misplaced pass and calmly slotted the ball past Courtois, securing a famous victory for the Basque side.

What’s Next for Real Madrid and Mbappé?

This defeat leaves Real Madrid in second place, four points behind Barcelona, who thrashed Mallorca 5-1 earlier in the week. Athletic Bilbao, on the other hand, climbed to fourth place, continuing their impressive unbeaten run.

For Kylian Mbappé, the pressure is mounting. Despite his undeniable talent, his recent struggles from the penalty spot have raised questions about his confidence and form. Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti defended his star player, stating, “He is not at his best level, but we need to give him time to adapt.”

Athletic Bilbao’s Resilience Shines

Athletic Bilbao’s victory was a testament to their resilience and tactical discipline. Led by Ernesto Valverde, the Basque side executed a high-pressing game that disrupted Real Madrid’s rhythm. Dani Vivian’s stellar defensive performance and Agirrezabala’s heroics in goal were instrumental in securing the win.

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