Kylian Mbappé delivered a masterclass of redemption at San Mamés, scoring two superb goals to inspire a vital 3-0 victory for Real Madrid against Athletic Bilbao. The win, which also featured an assist from the French superstar, provided a much-needed respite for manager Xabi Alonso and halted a worrying slide in form for the Spanish giants.
From Penalty Miss to Prolific Saviour
The stage was laden with personal history for Mbappé. Exactly one year on from missing a penalty at the same ground, an event he later described as a pivotal 'rock bottom' moment, the forward returned to the stadium nicknamed 'the Cathedral' in devastating form. His transformation since that December 2024 miss has been nothing short of sensational. Arriving at San Mamés last year, he had 10 goals in 20 games; he arrived this time having netted 57 times in his previous 58 appearances for Madrid.
The contrast in outcomes was stark. Last season's failure was replaced by a match-winning performance of the highest calibre. After controlling a magnificent long diagonal pass from Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mbappé embarked on a surging run from near the halfway line before unleashing a fierce strike from the edge of the box for the opener. His second was a moment of sublime deception, shaping to curl the ball to the far post before whipping it inside the near post, leaving goalkeeper Unai Simón stranded.
A Performance to Quell the Growing Storm
The victory was critically important for the broader context of Real Madrid's season. Since defeating Barcelona in El Clásico at the end of October to go five points clear, Alonso's side had stumbled badly. A run of three consecutive away draws against Rayo Vallecano, Elche, and Girona had seen their lead evaporate, turning into a four-point deficit behind Barcelona after the Catalans beat Atlético Madrid 3-1 earlier in the week.
Tensions had been simmering beneath the surface, most visibly when Vinícius Júnior reacted angrily to being substituted during the Clásico win—an incident followed by a pointed 'apology' that excluded the manager. The pressure on Alonso was palpable, with questions mounting about his tactical system and the team's application. This commanding performance at a notoriously difficult venue, therefore, served as a powerful statement.
Alonso's Tactical Adaptation and Key Moments
Facing an Athletic side struggling for form, Alonso opted for a pragmatic shift. He deployed a setup closer to a 4-4-2, with Mbappé and Vinícius leading the line and Jude Bellingham part of a more muscular midfield. The strategy leveraged the pace of his forwards against Athletic's high defensive line. Alexander-Arnold's passing range was instrumental, with his 'angelic' right foot, as described by Spanish newspaper *El País*, creating the first two goals.
Beyond Mbappé's brilliance, other moments signified a thawing of internal tensions. The sight of Vinícius embracing Alonso as he was substituted stood in direct contrast to his petulant exit a month prior. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who made several key saves to preserve the clean sheet, summed up the squad's reliance on their talisman, stating, "No one has his acceleration, his runs: he's unstoppable. During games I say to myself: how lucky I am to have him on my side."
The result, labelled by *Marca* as "Super Mbappé and at last a good Madrid," provides a foundation for Alonso to build upon. However, with a crucial UEFA Champions League encounter against Manchester City looming, questions remain about the team's consistency and defensive solidity. For one night in Bilbao, though, the divine talent of Kylian Mbappé provided both salvation and a reminder of his unique ability to define football's biggest occasions.
