In a surprising turn of events, Real Madrid suffered a 2-1 defeat against Athletic Bilbao at San Mamés Stadium on Wednesday, marking their fourth loss in seven games across all competitions. French superstar Kylian Mbappe missed his second penalty in a week, adding to the woes of the reigning La Liga champions.
Athletic Bilbao emerged as aggressors from the kickoff, dominating possession and pressing high against a harried Real Madrid side. The visitors appeared short of ideas when in possession and struggled to make an impact in the final third, going into the halftime break without a single shot on target.
The home team’s relentless pressure paid off in the 53rd minute. Alex Berenguer broke the deadlock with a deft close-range finish, sending the Bilbao supporters into raptures. Real Madrid’s opportunity to level the score came 15 minutes later when defender Antonio Rüdiger was fouled in the box, awarding Los Blancos a penalty.
Stepping up to the spot, Mbappe was handed a golden chance to redeem himself after a previous miss. However, fate was not on his side as his shot was saved, marking his second missed penalty in as many weeks. The miss seemed to deflate Real Madrid’s spirits, and despite pushing forward, they couldn’t find the equalizer.
Unbeaten over the last two months, Athletic Bilbao showcased their resilience and tactical prowess. Their victory not only highlights their ascending form but also puts pressure on Real Madrid, who must now address their recent slump and Mbappe’s sudden penalty woes.
The defeat raises questions about Real Madrid’s current strategy and cohesion on the pitch. As the season progresses, they’ll need to recalibrate quickly to remain in contention for the title. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how the team and Mbappe respond to this setback.
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Mbappe misses another penalty as Real Madrid slump at Athletic Bilbao
cgtn.com
